Child and Youth Client Advocate

Mission Services of Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission Services of Hamilton is seeking a Child and Youth Client Advocate to support children and youth facing abuse or homelessness. You will work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework and provide crisis intervention by phone, web, and in person.

The role emphasizes client-centered planning, safety, and collaboration with partners, requiring flexibility for days, evenings, and weekends. Wage starts at $23.42 per hour.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Child and Youth Work or Early Childhood Education is required.
• Preference for SSW, Social Work, or CYAC degree.
• Minimum two years in gender-based violence, child development, mental health, or related social services.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct service and case management to children and youth.
• Ensure shelter safety and security.
• Identify welfare concerns and comply with reporting obligations.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Crisis intervention

Organization

Teamwork

Education

Child and Youth Work diploma

Early Childhood Education diploma

Social Work degree

SSW (Social Service Worker)

Job description

Full Time Contract [Vacation Payout] Front Line Worker Hamilton, ON, CA

Violence Against Women’s Services

Child and Youth Worker

Full-Time, Contract

(Bargaining Unit Position as per Collective Agreement)

1 Position

Wage $23.42 Per hour

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Child and Youth Client Advocate will work from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, trauma informed, and intersectional feminist framework and uses a client-centered approach to support children and youth who are experiencing abuse and/or homelessness. The Child and Youth Client Advocate will respect each individual’s self-determination and personal decision making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide direct service and case management to children, including but not limited to, conducting safety planning and risk management, completing assessments and admissions, offering referrals, participating in conflict resolution and offering crisis intervention by phone and through web and text-based services
• Ensure the overall safety and security of the shelter is maintained
• Identify child welfare concerns and comply with Duty to Report obligations in accordance with the Child and Family Services Act and good practices in working with service users and their children around child-welfare concerns and collaborate with CAS/CCAS as needed
• Participate in developing and delivering on-site and off-site social-recreational and therapeutic activities for service users and their dependents
• Provide information on resources to service users and referrals as identified by services users
• Inform and encourage service users to participate in filling out MCCSS Service User Surveys
• Keep systematic records using automated case management software and in-house tools such as log books and report templates
• Assist in the orientation of new staff, students, and volunteers at Women’s Services in the Child and Youth Department
• Participate in Emergency Residential Child and Youth and Child Witness Program (LEAF) planning as required, including program development, promotion and evaluation
• Understand and follow protocols with community partners such as Hamilton Police Services, Children’s Aid Society, French Language Service Agreement and the School Board
• Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and case conference meetings as directed by management
• Work safely, and identify and report any health and safety concerns to management, in accordance with Mission Services’ Workplace Health and Safety Policies and Procedures
• Adhere to a strict confidentiality policy
• Understand and adhere to all Mission Services, Inasmuch House and Shelter Standards policies and procedures
• Other duties that may be required to ensure the continuation of services

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum diploma in Child and Youth Work or Early Childhood Education
• Preference for a diploma in Social Service Work (SSW), a degree in Social Work (BSW), or a degree in Child and Youth Care
• Minimum two (2) years of work experience in any of the following fields: gender-based violence, child development and mental health, counselling or other social services supporting vulnerable women and children
• Excellent understanding of the intersection of gender-based violence, child abuse and safety as well as related effects on parenting, mother-child relationships and child development
• Works from an intersectional feminist perspective
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and take initiative
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Exemplifies excellent skills in working with vulnerable people
• Organized, with good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work independently and within a team setting
• Committed to upholding the organization’s mission, values and standards
• Demonstrated understanding around importance of confidentiality

HOURS OF WORK:

• 37.5 hours per week
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including days, evenings, and weekends

REQUIREMENTS:

• Two-Step Tuberculosis Skin Test

COMPENSATION:

• Wage starts at $23.42 per hour

• At Mission Services of Hamilton, we value diversity in our employees and we work from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework and strive for equity and inclusion.
• We strive to foster an organization that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We encourage applications from individuals from underserved and underrepresented cultural and racial communities, from First Nations Inuit and Metis communities, Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with disabilities, and those with lived experience of abuse, food insecurity, homelessness, mental health difficulties and addictions.
• Mission Services is also committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.