Direct Support Worker

New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults, and Families; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults, and Families is seeking Direct Support Workers for specialized residential settings serving youth ages 12–17. You will act as a Life Skills Coach and Advocate to empower youth through intentional skill‑building, advocacy, and stable routines within a trauma‑informed environment.

Responsibilities include teaching life skills, guiding systems navigation, supporting educational and vocational activities, accompanying youth to appointments, and promoting

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; preference for post-secondary in Youth Care Worker or Mental Health.
• Minimum two years’ experience with youth (12–17) facing mental health challenges, justice involvement, addictions, homelessness, exploitation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of ASD and FASD with commitment to person-led care, routine, and adaptive communication.
• ASIST, Mental Health Training, or Health Care Aide certification are assets.
• Trauma-Informed Care, Youth Criminal Justice Act, and developmental milestones for adolescents.
• Strong awareness of Indigenous cultures and needs of Indigenous communities.
• ASL skills preferred; willingness to learn and develop communication skills.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license is a requirement.

Responsibilities

• Skill Mentorship: teach and model life skills (meal planning, cooking, budgeting, household maintenance).
• Systems Navigation: coach youth to access community resources and manage appointments.
• Vocational Readiness: support educational and vocational activities for future employment or volunteering.
• Accompany and/or transport to appointments, school, and activities.
• Social & Emotional Growth: use basic counselling and conflict resolution to guide youths.
• Community Liaison: coordinate with social workers, teachers, and partners.
• Reintegration Support: assist with probation or court mandates using restorative practices.
• Safety & Stability: provide positive behavior support and crisis intervention.
• Documentation: maintain accurate health and safety records.

Skills

Life Skills Coaching

Trauma-informed

Crisis de-escalation

Communication

ASL skills

Education

High School Diploma

Post-secondary in Youth Care/Mental Health (preferred)

ASIST Certification

Mental Health Training

Health Care Aide Certification (assets)

Job description

New Directions is a social service agency offering a wide range of resources and services that foster people’s hopes and dreams in their communities.

Child Home Services (CHS) offers a range of home supports (i.e., family supports, foster home, group care homes, individualized homes, independent living, mentored living) to children, youth, and families who are dealing with challenges related to the experience of trauma and/or living with a disability. Our community-based resources are designed to support connection with family and community, a sense of belonging, and provide opportunities to engage in a meaningful life.

Position Overview

We are seeking Direct Support Workers for specialized residential settings serving youth ages 12–17. In this role, the mission is empowerment through intentional skill‑building and advocacy. We provide stabilization for youth who may be dealing with significant mental health concerns or involvement with the justice system through predictable structures, restorative justice principles, and positive behavior support.

You aren't just a caregiver—you are a Life Skills Coach and Advocate. You will work within a trauma‑informed environment to help youth move from crisis to self‑sufficiency, transforming daily routines into opportunities for growth, healing, and future independence.

Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to)

• Skill Mentorship: Actively teach and model life skills, including meal planning, basic cooking, grocery shopping, budgeting, and household maintenance.
• Systems Navigation: Coach youth on how to safely access community resources, use public transit, and manage medical or legal appointments.
• Vocational Readiness: Facilitate and encourage educational and vocational activities that prepare youth for future employment, volunteering, or post‑secondary transitions.
• Accompany and/or transport individuals to legal appointments, shopping, school, employment or leisure activities.
• Facilitate and encourage educational and vocational activities that prepare youth for future employment or volunteering.
• Social & Emotional Growth: Utilize basic counselling and conflict resolution skills to help youth navigate social dynamics and emotional regulation.
• Community Liaison: Act as a liaison with social workers, lawyers, teachers, and community partners to ensure the youth’s developmental goals are met.
• Reintegration Support: Assist youth in meeting conditions of probation or court mandates, focusing on restorative practices and accountability.
• Safety & Stability: Provide a "secure base" through positive behavior support, crisis intervention, and medication administration, ensuring a safe environment for learning to occur.
• Utilize trauma‑informed intervention to defuse aggressive situations, focusing on de‑escalation strategies that protect the individual’s safety and foster long‑term self‑regulation skills
• Maintain health and safety standards through medication administration and accurate documentation.
• Personal Care & Dignity: Assist with personal care routines and medical needs with a focus on maintaining the individual’s dignity and comfort.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates with post‑secondary education in the area(s) of Youth Care Worker, and/or Mental Health.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience working with youth (ages 12-17) facing mental health challenges, justice involvement, addictions, homelessness, and exploitation. Varying experience and education may be considered
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong understanding of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), and FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) and a commitment to person‑led care, routine structure and adaptive communication
• ASIST, Mental Health Training, or Health Care Aide certification are considered assets.
• Demonstrated understanding of Trauma Informed Care, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and developmental milestones for adolescents.
• Strong awareness of Indigenous cultures, history, and the unique needs of Indigenous communities.
• American Sign Language (ASL) skills preferred; willingness to learn and develop communication skills required.
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license is a requirement for this position

Note: Scheduled hours can include days, evenings, weekends, and awake overnights.

The salary range for this Full-time1-year Term, 80-hour bi‑weekly position is $17.3239 to $23.3888 per hour, dependent upon education and/or experience.

The successful candidate will be subject to Criminal Record Check, Adult and Child Abuse Registry Check, Prior Contact Checks; and must supply a satisfactory driver’s safety rating.

Operating a vehicle is an essential duty of this role. Candidates must hold a valid, active driver's license in good standing to be eligible for hire. Providing a copy of your license and/or your license number at this stage is voluntary. However, submitting this information upfront allows our team to verify your status, which can fast‑track your application to the review stage.

The closing date for all applications October 7th, 2026

New Directions is committed to equity and diversity and especially welcomes applications from persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and newcomers to Canada. We strive for a skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we support and contributes to the diversification of ideas.

Accommodations for accessibility purposes are available for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.