Child and Youth Counsellor I, Benjamin Road

STARLING COMMUNITY SERVICES IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES WHERE EVERYONE EXPERIENCES MENTAL WELLNESS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING.

To better serve the diversity of our community, the agency is committed to embedding anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices, and perspectives into the fabric of our organization. We have implemented mandatory antiracism training, we are actively building safe spaces to host brave conversations for learning, and we are fostering a culture of belonging for all, but especially BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, historically and presently marginalized individuals and communities.

**There are 5 casual Child and Youth Counsellor I, Benjamin Road positions available starting on November 19, 2024, working various hours per week.**

**Your Role**:
Undertakes various Child and Youth Care Worker duties in the assigned service area and works with the Primary Youth Worker, maintaining a safe therapeutic environment. Assists with recreational and skills development programming, working individually with clients and/or in a group format. Works intentionally from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive perspective to further create a sense of belonging at the Agency. Supports the sustainability of social emotional learning.

**Tasks**:
Client Service:

- Supervises, supports, and counsels clients, monitoring and documenting behaviour and ensuring the continuity of goals and objectives of the service area.
- Assists the primary youth worker or designate in the design and implementation of recreational, life skills and therapeutic programming.
- Assists the Primary Worker with the Assessment, development and implementation of goals and objectives with individual clients, ensuring continuity and integration of treatment care.
- Assists with the design and implementation of daily routines, norms and structure for groups and individuals and ensures Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services standards are met.
- Acts as a role model for staff and clients.
- Updates parents on progress/behaviors as required.
- Assists youth to problem-solve effectively.
- Responds in client crisis situations using crisis interventions and CIT techniques.
- Provides skills development and learning, developing action plans as required.
- Organizes clients and participates in recreational activities, life skills training and coaching such as housekeeping and cooking.
- Provides services to youth in the community including life skills groups, coaching and recreational focused interventions and one-to-one support.
- Transports clients to appointments and community events as required.
- Communicates relevant client information to agency and external team members.
- Plans and facilitates skills group programming using pre-developed curricula (i.e., DBT informed group, social skills group, emotional management group, relapse prevention group, life skills group, etc.).
- Administers medication and first aid to clients and updates the medication log (training required).
- Assists with various care co-ordination functions as assigned by the team.
- Assists with designing, delivering and evaluating the overall program.
- Assists with the assessment, development and implementation of goals and objectives for the group program.
- Supports clients in individual and group settings, including therapy settings, life skills social skills and specific issues as they arise.
- Provides medication to youths in the program.

Housekeeping:

- Maintains program areas in a clean and safe way which includes washing dishes, sweeping floors and putting things away.
- Ensures the proper storage of recreational equipment and maintains the cleanliness of any facilities that are utilized. i.e. craft room, gymnasium, kitchen, unit, offices, laundry etc.

Administration:

- Completes the required documentation specific to the assigned service area.
- Performs tasks of other department staff as required during their absence or takes on extra tasks to support the service.
- Ensures the safety and security of the community as per service mandate
- Assists in file audits.

May create daily schedules which organize client needs, supporting staff needs, the break schedule and classroom staff coverage.

**Your Talents and Experience**:
Diploma or degree in child and youth work or related discipline plus at least one year’s successful experience as a Child and Youth Worker or equivalent. Ability to design and implement recreational and group programming. Ability to communicate openly and honestly and coach youth and give and take directions. A sound understanding of different social and emotional learning models. Resiliency while working under physical and emotional stress is necessary. Alignment with the Agency's commitment to anti racism and anti-oppression. Passionate, aware, and willing to learn about antiracism, anti-oppression and equity. Required to hold completion of CIT or equivalent, current First Aid/CPR c