Family and Youth Counsellor

at  LCSS Langley Community Services Society

WHO WE ARE

Langley Community Services Society has been in existence for over 50 years. We offer a wide variety of
social service programs to the community. We are fully accredited through the Council of Accreditation
and maintain best practices standards. Our mission is to assist individuals and families to enhance their
lives through the provision of information, services, and programs.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Child & Family Services – Connections Program is funded by MCFD, and has 3 components: Family &
Youth, Intensive, and Family strengthening program. Staff may be required to work in any of these areas
of service.
The counsellor provides immediate intervention and counselling for families in crisis who are at risk of
having their children removed from their care and placed outside the home. Counselling relates to
parenting issues, which impacts family functioning.
Parents are empowered to make changes in their lives that will enable them to meet their children’s
developmental needs and provide them with a safe environment managing emergency situations is an
ongoing expectation of this program.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

❖ A degree in Social Sciences/ Social Work or related degree.
❖ 3 years’ experience in direct service delivery in the social services sector (preferred). Additional
courses/training related to child growth and development an asset.
❖ Knowledge and understanding of family Systems and cycles and effects of abuse, trauma, grief, loss,
and addictions.
❖ Knowledge and understanding of basic principles of attachment, learning, behaviour, and
motivation theories.
❖ Knowledge and understanding of ages and stages of child development, parenting strategies and
behaviour management.
❖ Knowledge and understanding of the effects of and effective responses to genetic effects,
developmental issues and concerns, common mental health disorders.

JOB SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

❖ Well-developed interpersonal, counselling, communication skills.
❖ Proficient advocacy, coaching and instructions skills.
❖ Good organization, time and general management skills.
❖ Ability to complete paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
❖ Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
❖ May be required to work outside normal office hours.

❖ Stabilize the family situation, to ensure a safe, developmentally appropriate, healthy environment
for children and families.
❖ Develop and implement counselling and intervention programs to assist clients in determining goals
and the means of attaining them.
❖ Plan, prepare and conduct family/group or individual counselling sessions with clients.
❖ Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling / intervention programs and clients’ progress.
❖ Provide a family assessment and follow-up reports as needed to the referring social worker. Case
planning and concerns are discussed with therapists, social workers and others as required.
❖ Provide parenting and life skills training.
❖ Maintain accurate reports and records on clients and provide reports to the supervisory position.
❖ Maintain a thorough knowledge of community resources to meet the client’s needs. Provide liaison
and advocacy to other professionals, other agencies, and the community.