Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region - Child & Youth Worker

Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses; Ontario; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Child & Youth Worker to provide essential support services to children in a shelter environment. This role involves advocating for women and children, facilitating group activities, and offering crisis intervention. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in child and youth care, demonstrating empathy and cultural sensitivity while working with vulnerable populations. Join a team that values diversity and is committed to promoting a woman-centered service within a feminist framework. This is a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families in need.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years’ experience working with children in crisis.
• Sound knowledge of violence against women and children.
• Ability to plan and implement supportive services.

Responsibilities

• Provide child-centered support services to children in the shelter.
• Plan and implement activities for children who have experienced violence.
• Conduct safety assessments and provide crisis intervention.

Skills

Child and Youth Care

Crisis Intervention

Group Facilitation

Advocacy

Counseling

Cultural Sensitivity

Education

University Degree or Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region - Child & Youth Worker

Posted on May 02, 2025

Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region

Child & Youth Worker

Posting No.: 05-02-25 CYW (1)

Posting Date: May 5, 2025

Closing Date: May 30, 2025

Start Date: ASAP

Position: Child & Youth Worker

Status: Full-Time, Permanent

Hours of Work: 40 hours / week

Number of Positions: One (1)

Job Profile

Reporting to the Shelter Supervisor, the Child and Youth Worker is primarily responsible for providing child-centered supportive services through individual and group support to children in the shelter and through Sandgate’s Community Programs. Services include advocacy on behalf of women and children, childcare, supportive counseling to women and children, crisis prevention and intervention, group facilitation, and liaison with relevant community systems. All aspects of the position will be performed from an integrated anti-oppression, feminist perspective, and in keeping with the goals and objectives of the agency.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, and implement child-focused activities, responsive to needs of children that have experienced and/or witnessed violence;
• Provide support and assistance to women regarding their children’s specific needs/issues;
• Promote non-violent parenting skills in all aspects of work and interaction with women/staff/outside agencies;
• Act as a resource for women and their children;
• Provide supportive, solution-focused counselling to women and their children;
• Provide emotional support and crisis intervention to women and children;
• Maintain children’s area (including safety, supplies purchase recommendations) and ensure toys and play areas are regularly sanitized or disinfected;
• Conduct Safety Assessments and Risk Management Plans for every child that accesses Sandgate services;
• Provide childcare to women upon their request (in shelters and Community Programs);
• Demonstrate culturally sensitive role modeling to enable positive parent/child and peer/peer interactions;
• Participate in program planning and evaluation;
• Provide regular and periodic statistical information as required;
• Conduct intake and discharge documentation for children;
• Provide outreach referral and follow-up services for children who have witnessed violence upon their mother/caregivers’ request;
• Making referrals to relevant/appropriate resources both within the agency (Sandgate’s Groups Facilitator) and externally (i.e. schools, community centers, etc.);
• Complete weekly Service Delivery Plans each child residing in the shelter;
• Educate team members with respect to the issues and concerns of children in crisis, in general, and identify specific needs of individual resident children (as appropriate with a case management approach);
• Facilitate/Co-Facilitate all children’s support groups;
• Other duties as assigned

Requisite Skills and Qualifications:

• University Degree or advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care;
• Sound working knowledge of violence against women and children;
• 2- 3 years’ experience in group facilitation;
• 2-3 years’ experience in working with children in crisis, at high risk, and in particular, children who have witnessed/experienced violence;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and government policies (including the Child and Family Services Act.)
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and evaluate supportive services to women and their children in a shelter environment;
• Knowledge of varied philosophies of child developmental stages;
• Ability to interact effectively with women and their children;
• Ability to relate theory to practice;
• Demonstrated personal, organizational, and time management skills;

Job Requirements:

• Flexible schedule is essential as there are rotating shifts to cover a 24-hour, 7-day operation;
• Flexibility to work in, and travel to, any part of the region (all organizational locations), as per operational requirements;
• Fluency in a second language spoken by a significant regional population and required by Sandgate;
• Compliance with all organizational Policies, Procedures, practices and philosophies;
• Commitment to and promotion of a woman-centered service within a feminist analysis in all aspects of work;
• Work independently and as an effective transition team member, with willingness to cover duties/shifts for other positions if required;
• Assume other relevant tasks and activities as required;
• Respect for and valuing of community diversity;
• Commitment to continuing education on women and children’s issues, with particular emphasis on Violence Against Women;
• Work within an anti-oppression framework and trauma informed framework;
• Ability to challenge current system and co-workers and resolve conflict;
• Attendance at relevant meetings and events as required;
• Ability to liaise effectively with the general public and community resources;
• Commitment to maintain and uphold a clean and safe environment;
• Computer literate in Word, Excel, Outlook, and ability to produce reports, proposals, etc.;
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of job (written/verbal/implied);
• Positively represent the organization in every action taken on behalf of the organization (by telephone, in person, and/or written communication);
• Valid First Aid/CPR certification;
• Valid driver’s license, valid work-related insurance, and reliable vehicle.
• This position reports to and is supervised by the Shelter Managers

Application procedures:

In keeping with our ongoing efforts to promote equity and reflect the diversity of York Region, we welcome applications from Aboriginal Women, Women of Color, Immigrant women, Lesbians, and other women from the LGBTTTIQQ community, women with disabilities and Women from other diverse groups to apply. We thank all applicants, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. No enquiries please. Please send a resume to [e-mail] by the above-mentioned date, at 5:00PM.