Child and Youth Care Worker

We are proud and honoured to offer services on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm) First Nations.

**Opportunity**:
Westcoast is looking for** permanent part-time for 16 hours per week Child and Youth Care Worker to work with our Tri-Cities team, hours may vary from**Monday to Friday 2:30pm-6:30pm.**This position will report directly to Assistant Team Lead in Tri-cities.

The Child and Youth Care Worker offers individualized support to children and youth facing additional needs, within the framework of a community access program. This initiative seeks to enhance the quality of life for these individuals, fostering improved social interactions, heightened communication proficiency, and enhanced recreational skills among peers. Moreover, the program serves as a platform for cultivating abilities that foster greater independence in key domains such as personal care, domestic routines, and engagement within the community.

**Responsibilities**:

- Support children/youth who require extra support. This includes children and youth with Developmental Disabilities, a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or high medical needs.
- Review and evaluate a child specific service plan that includes specific goals to be addressed during the term of service.
- Provide role modelling and coaching for age-appropriate peer, friend, and family interactions.
- Increase access to neighborhood venues, community facilities and leisure opportunities.
- Identify and connect child/youth with community resources, programs, and specialized services.
- Help child/youth to increase independent living skills including transportation, community and street safety, money management, shopping, and food preparation.
- Assist youth to complete transition to adulthood activities.
- Liaise and communicate with the family to schedule services, and provide regular verbal feedback about weekly activities, and child/youth participation, strengths, and challenges.
- Provide or arrange transportation to support service activities.
- Develop positive and supportive relationships with clients, their families and other significant figures in the child/youth’s life as well as professional relationships in all environments.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records/statistics.
- This position involves flexible hours including evenings, weekends and holidays to accommodate the needs of clients.

**Requirements**:

- Diploma or certificate in an area of study relevant to social/human service (e.g., Social Service Worker, Child and Youth Worker, Early Childhood Education, etc.)
- Minimum 1 years' experience working with children/youth.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of child development and family dynamics.
- Valid Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record and use of own vehicle.
- Current Standard First Aid with CPR & AED Level C certificate or ability to obtain within the first 3 months of employment.
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check

**Skills You Bring**:

- Ability to identify health and safety issues for children/youth
- Ability to work collaboratively with the business community, other program staff, therapists, social workers, other related staff and professional consultants and families.
- Excellent verbal, written, instructional and interpersonal skills
- Organization and time management skills.
- Ability to work evenings and/or weekends is required.

**Why Work for Westcoast**:
Be part of a grassroots community-based agency committed to developing and strengthening our community together. As a WFC employee, you will benefit from:

- An opportunity to be a part of a hands-on mentoring experience, through role-modeling and
- Making a difference in your local
- A chance to do meaningful work with a committed team of professionals.
- Contribute to our commitment to being an inclusive and culturally safe environment for all.
- Join us in being allies to Indigenous peoples, on our journey to reconciliation.

**About Westcoast**:
Westcoast Family Centres Society (WFC) is a multi-service community-based non-profit organization delivering child-centered, evidence-based programs and services to children and families in the Lower Mainland. Our mission is to strengthen and develop healthy relationships between children, their families, and their communities. Our programs and services aim to address the unique and varied challenges faced by vulnerable families.

Joining the WFC team is an opportunity to be a part of a team where your skills and knowledge will make a positive impact in the lives of children and families. WFC takes pride in creating inclusive spaces, where its diverse workforce can thrive.