Specialized Child and Youth Support Worker

Are you looking for a rewarding and exciting career in Social Services and Community Living?

Strive Living Society is seeking compassionate, enthusiastic individuals to join our progressive non-profit organization as Specialized Child and Youth Support Workers. These positions are based in our new Specialized Resource residence located in Abbotsford. 

This position involves working in a two-to-one support setting within our Specialized Resource residence, providing care to individuals who are neurodiverse this includes diagnoses such as Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, Seizures, ADHD, FASD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Developmental Language Disorder. Strive also supports individuals experiencing mental health challenges, self-injurious behavior, and risk-related behaviors. These highly individualized environments allow for focused behavior support and the opportunity to build strong, meaningful connections with each child in the home.

Strive is a non-profit registered charity providing residential and community inclusion supports to children, youth, adults, and older adults throughout the lower mainland since 1988. If you can relate to our mission and vision, we want you to work for us

Strive's Mission is "To partner with individuals of diverse abilities to lead healthy, fulfilling lives by providing a foundation of support."

Strive's Vision is "Building a continuum of services to support the needs of individuals at every stage of life."

Strive offers fully paid benefits, great learning and development opportunities, and an engaging, positive environment for a long-term career.

Pay rate: $27.54/hour

Why work for Strive?

• Employer paid Criminal Record Check Clearance
• Paid orientations
• Paid trainings (First Aid, CPR, Mandt, etc.) and professional development
• Employer paid extended health benefits including prescription medication, paraprofessional services, vision, etc.*
• Employer paid dental benefits including orthodontic coverage *
• Employer contribution to Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) *
• Employer paid Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Casual employees are provided up to an additional 10.2% of wages in lieu of benefits
• Reimbursement to upgrade to Class 4 BCDL if required (one time only upon successful acquisition)
• Competitive paid annual vacation
• Generous statutory holiday pay
• Generous paid Health Bank
• Flexible schedules to accommodate life/work balance
• Referral bonus program
• Inclusive environment with team building events and cultural celebrations
• Health and wellness activities and incentives
• Milestone rewards
• Access to community member discounts
• Ongoing support, mentoring, and recognition to help with engagement and career growth

*Some benefits have eligibility requirements of surpassing three (3) months and securing a regular position of 20hrs/week or more. The benefits and criteria may change from time to time at the discretion of Strive.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Providing primary support to the individual as part of a collaborative team, while working toward personalized goals and ensuring consistent, person-centered care.
• Implementing safety and behavior support plans under the guidance of the broader care team.
• Completing professional documentation, including tracking sheets, daily logs, incident reports, and email communications with the care team.
• Assisting with daily household tasks to maintain a safe and supportive environment—this includes meal preparation, medication administration, personal care, recreational activities, and life skills development.
• Modeling positive behavior, promoting social and emotional well-being, and maintaining clear, professional boundaries at all times
• Driving the youth in the community for family inclusion, cultural events, medical appointments, school and recreational outings.
• Attend team meetings, providing feedback and input into program development. Along with liaising with the extended care team and family.
• Relationship and rapport building by fostering a caring, safe and positive environment.
• Attend ongoing training opportunities to contribute towards decisions within the program.
• Handle float cards, expenses and budgets for the program.

The ideal applicant shall possess:

• Knowledge and experience working with individuals who are neurodiverse, at-risk, mental health challenges and high-risk behaviors. with developmental disabilities, at-risk youth with physical disabilities, mental health concerns and behaviors.
• Confident in effective de-escalation and crisis management skills.
• Trauma-informed lenses of understanding the needs and barriers the youth face, daily.
• An understanding of the needs and barriers faced by individuals with various abilities.
• Clear, concise and professional communication and language skills to carry out verbal and written documentation.
• Command of English language with ability to communicate effectively and complete daily documentation
• Ability to understand and follow health care plans, protocols, schedules, safety and behavioral plans.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures, including health and safety policies.
• An understanding of the difference between creating independence vs. creating dependence.
• Competence to safely accompany/transport individuals to school, appointments and community engagements.
• Knowledge and experience with community resources, family and social integration, and modelling appropriate life skills.
• The physical ability to perform all active duties required of the position.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Class 5 BC Driver's License required and clean driver's abstract
• Personal vehicle for work and car insurance with third-party liability of $2 million
• Minimum of 1-year of experience (or combination of education and experience)
• Out of Country Police Clearance Certificate (if you have lived outside of Canada for 6 months or more)
• Positive Behaviour Management Training
• Criminal Record Clearance, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Children and Family Development
• First Aid and CPR Certificate
• MANDT Training will be offered in house
• Food Safe Certificate
• 3 professional references

Note: If you do not have all of these, but demonstrate you are a good fit for the position, Strive may be able to assist you to acquire some of the requirement.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Strive ensures the health and safety of all employees by acting with an abundance of caution and adhering to guidelines from the Ministry of Health, mandating regular safety training, and providing employees with access to personal protective equipment.

Strive Living Society is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.

Strive Living Society is grateful to operate on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Nations.

#IND-HP

CASUA002252