Education Support Worker

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental & Vision

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

Covenant House Toronto is seeking an Education Support Worker (ESW) to assist youth facing barriers to education and employment. The role emphasizes trauma-informed, strengths-based, youth-centered support and collaboration with schools, colleges, and community partners.

The ESW coordinates education planning, assists with post-secondary applications, OSAP, bursaries, and facilitates referrals to educational programs.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Child and Youth Worker, Social Work, Social Service Work or related field.
• Minimum two years of experience with vulnerable or marginalized youth.
• Experience in case coordination, advocacy, crisis intervention, and youth engagement.
• Knowledge of post-secondary pathways, student financial aid, and education systems is an asset.

Responsibilities

• On-site school support: collaborate with teachers and staff to support student engagement, attendance and success in onsite classes.
• Conduct educational and needs-based assessments to identify barriers to learning and achievement.
• Provide educational planning, system navigation, advocacy, goal setting, and brief supportive counselling.

Skills

Case coordination

Advocacy

Crisis intervention

Youth engagement

Communication

Education

Diploma/Degree in Child & Youth Work or Social Work

Tools

Microsoft Office

ETO system

Job description

Education Support Worker (ESW)

Employment Services Department

Hybrid (One Remote Day per Week)

Full Time, Permanent

Level 6

Requisition Number: ES-2026-001

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day.

More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

The Education Support Worker (ESW) supports youth experiencing barriers to education and employment through individualized case coordination, advocacy, educational planning, and direct support. Using a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and youth-centered approach, the ESW helps youth navigate challenges related to homelessness, mental health, substance use, trauma, family conflict, and neurodiversity to support Education goals.

The ESW works collaboratively with internal teams, schools, post-secondary institutions, and community partners to support youth in achieving their educational goals including accessing financial resources and successfully transitioning into further education, training, or employment.

We are currently recruiting for 1 Full-time Permanent Education Support Worker. This is a replacement position within the organization.

Responsibilities:

On-Site school Support

• Collaborate with the TCDSB teacher and McGill School staff to support student engagement, attendance, and success in onsite classes.
• Conduct educational and needs-based assessments to identify barriers to learning, engagement, and achievement.
• Provide educational planning, system navigation, advocacy, goal setting, and brief supportive counselling.
• Connect youth to appropriate educational, community, cultural, and support services.
• Participate in case conferences and multidisciplinary service planning when needed.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case documentation, data entry, and reporting in ETO and program files.

Post-Secondary Pathway Support

• Support youth in exploring educational pathways, career options, and long-term academic goals.
• Assist youth with secondary school completion, alternative education programs, and transitions to post-secondary education and training.
• Provide guidance and support with post-secondary applications, OSAP, bursaries, scholarships, accessibility services, and academic accommodations.
• Facilitate referrals to educational, training, and skills development programs.
• Coordinate campus visits, information sessions, workshops, and educational outreach activities.
• Advocate with schools, training institutions, and post-secondary partners to support student retention, achievement, and success.

Education Bursary Program Administration

• Coordinate the CHT Education Bursary Program, including application intake, eligibility review, applicants communication, and funding administration.
• Provide ongoing support to bursary applicants and recipients throughout their educational journey.
• Follow up on recipient progress, educational outcomes, and program impact.
• Maintain bursary records for reporting purpose.

Community Partnerships, Program Development & Operations

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, colleges, universities, training providers, and community organizations.
• Coordinate referrals and improve access to educational opportunities, resources, and support services.
• Work collaboratively across agency programs to integrate education goals into broader youth service plans.
• Participate in community networks, committees, partnerships, and education-focused initiatives.
• Support the ongoing development, promotion, and enhancement of education services and initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Diploma or Degree in Child and Youth Worker, Social Work, Social Service Work or a related field.
• Minimum two years of experience working with vulnerable or marginalized youth.
• Experience in case coordination, advocacy, crisis intervention, and youth engagement.
• Experience supporting youth in education, employment, housing, mental health, or community settings.
• Knowledge of post-secondary pathways, student financial aid, and education systems is an asset.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, strengths-based, and anti-oppressive practice.
• Excellent youth engagement, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of youth development, mental health, homelessness, substance use, and systemic barriers to education.
• Strong assessment, advocacy, and supportive counselling skills.
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and case management databases (ETO preferred).
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and diverse community partnerships.

What we Offer:

• Meaningful work.
• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, Personal Days, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
• Employee perks which include discounts on gym membership, city bike rentals, auto & home insurance and more.

Use of AI and Technology in the Hiring Process

Covenant House Toronto does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. However, we do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently.

While our ATS may apply automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters. No hiring decisions are made by AI.

Commitment to Equitable Recruitment

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, underrepresented and marginalized in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some specific occupations. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialized people, gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the Covenant House recruitment process.