QUALIFICATIONS

• Child and Youth Care or Child and Youth Worker Diploma with one year’s experience working with hard-to-serve youth/adolescents in a school setting or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience in working with children/adolescents from diverse ethno-cultural and racial backgrounds;
• Experience working with students with special education needs and our most vulnerable students;
• Demonstrated counselling skills and associated communication skills, together with flexibility and initiative;
• Ability to support students using appropriate de-escalation and interventions strategies including crisis and physical intervention;
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to maintain a co-operative working relationship in an environment where teamwork is essential;
• Ability to provide an effective level of service;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Basic computer skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to an environment which promotes equitable practices and values diversity.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• As a position preference, the successful candidate will have lived experiences as a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit person, will have a strong understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, and will have experience working with and within First Nations, Métis, Inuit communities;
• Knowledge of current education issues and barriers as well as an awareness of available supports is required to effectively support and advocate for First Nations, Métis, Inuit students and families;
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Ontario First Nations, Métis, Inuit Education Policy Framework and current issues and research pertaining to First Nations, Métis, Inuit education;
• Demonstrated competence in the development of materials to support teachers and schools working with First Nations, Métis, Inuit populations.

OVERALL PURPOSE

The Toronto District School Board invites applications for the permanent assignment of Child and Youth Worker.
Child and Youth Workers provide appropriate behavioural management and social/emotional like skills programs to specific groups of students of all ages.
Child and Youth Workers are part of a multi-disciplinary team which includes the Manager of Child and Youth Services, Principals, Vice-Principals, Teachers, Professional Support Services Staff, Special Education and Caring and Safe Schools Staff and other Central Office staff.
On professional matters, Child and Youth workers report to the Managers of Child and Youth Services.
On operational matters, Child and Youth workers report to the Principal.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

• Develop and provide individual behaviour management programs including behavioural objective and evaluation for students in consultation with staff who work with the student(s);
• Provide support to students in the acquisition, reinforcement and maintenance of academic, communications, social and personal management skills;
• Develop and provide effective programs that reflect the students’ identity and lived experiences to enhance students’ self-esteem and interpersonal social skills in consultation with staff who work with the student(s);
• Intervene in unsafe situations with students which may involve contain and release, , class, group and one-to-one conflict resolution, mediation, life space intervention or de-escalation-style counseling;
• Contribute to development and implementation of IEP ABC charts and safety plans for students;
• Collaborate with teachers regarding referral of students to school support team for additional supports;
• Meet the standards and expectations of the professional child and youth care practice service including preparation of reports and maintaining appropriate records;
• Provide support and information to a student’s family regarding involvement with external agencies as appropriate;
• Attend meetings and in-service seminars/professional development to enhance professional development and network-building as required;
• Support the supervision of regularly-assigned students during lunch and non-instructional times as required;
• Other duties as assigned.