Child Advocate Worker

**Yorktown Family Services** - Violence Against Women Services provides a safe, supportive environment for women and children living in abusive relationships. Yorktown Family Services - Violence Against Women Services operates a 30-bed shelter for abused women and children and provides related community programs, namely the Transitional Housing and Support Program and the Women and Communities Against Violence (WACAV) Program, which assists women fleeing abuse who remain in the community and the Here to Help program which is a support group program for children witnessing violence and their mothers.

Yorktown Family Services - Violence Against Women Services provides emergency shelter and crisis support for women and children fleeing abuse. We offer counselling, referrals, a 24-hour crisis line, court escort, advocacy and assistance with housing, welfare, immigration, medical and legal services, children’s programs, early intervention for child witnesses of woman abuse, transitional support for women living in the community as well as those leaving the shelter.

**Primary Function** Yorktown Family Services Violence Against Women Services is seeking a

Child Advocate Worker to work at the Shelter with children and youth, who have witnessed violence and their caregivers by providing counselling and support, carrying intake responsibilities, providing flexible services and established programs to children and youth as they establish violence free lives_. _

**Responsibilities**:

- Provide counselling and support to the children and youth at the Shelter
- Provide supervised recreational activities/ programming for children
- Provide specific and group programming for children including life skills, homework assistance, recreation, arts and crafts
- Provide childcare during women’s programs, Resident Meetings and as required (includes respite for mothers)
- Act as a positive role model
- Provide specific programming for mothers (i.e. COPE Parenting Program)
- Assist mothers in securing daycare, registering children for school and other services as needed
- Carry out outreach and public education on the impact of violence against women as needed
- Carry out administrative tasks as necessary
- Other duties as assigned

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child and Youth Worker Diploma or directly related undergraduate degree / diploma from an accredited university
- A minimum 2 years’ experience working with children and youth affected by women abuse
- Proven ability to establish positive relationships with children and youth
- Strong crisis intervention, assessment and therapeutic intervention skills focusing on child witnesses of violence
- Extensive knowledge of woman abuse and its effects on women and children
- Extensive knowledge of community supports especially in the areas of child development, child welfare, daycare, healthcare, education, custody and access
- Excellent assessment skills
- Available to work a variety of shifts, including days, nights, and weekends as needed
- Current (6 months or less) Vulnerable Sector Search

**Reports To**:Manager, Shelter Client Services**

Yorktown Family Services is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity.

The Ontario Human Rights Code makes an exception for nepotism and anti-nepotism policies. Section 24(1)(d) of the Code specifically permits employers to grant or withhold employment or advancement in employment to someone who is the spouse, child or parent of the employee. All job applicants will be requested to disclose if any relative is a current employee of Yorktown.

Family Services. As per Yorktown’s Nepotism Policy 2.9, job applicants will be asked to disclose family members in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $57,052.37 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Application question(s):

- Are you legally entitled to work in Canada?
- Have you ever been convicted for a crime for which a pardon has not been granted?
- Are you associated with any of our staff?
- Would you be willing to complete a vulnerable sector screening?
- Do you have at least 2 years working with children and youth affected by abuse?

Work Location: In person