Youth Care Practitioner - Youth Resource Centre, Thompson, MB

The Link; Thompson; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Link is seeking Youth Care Practitioners to support high-risk children and youth in a shelter program. Responsibilities include developing activities, ensuring safety, and fostering a culturally sensitive environment. Applicants must have a high school diploma and two years’ experience in youth care, with a strong understanding of Indigenous culture and traditions.

Benefits

Accommodations for disabilities available

Emergency First Aid and CPR training opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous issues in child welfare.
• Ability to handle confidential situations.
• Willingness to obtain required trainings.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing care and support for high-risk youth.
• Engage and develop relationships with youth in the program.
• Record keeping and report writing as required.

Skills

Culturally sensitive care

Confidential communication

Team collaboration

Education

Completion of high school or equivalent

Minimum 2 years’ experience in youth care

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Youth Care Practitioners (YCP’s) in the YRC operated by The Link report to their immediate Supervisor and are responsible for implementing all aspects of the day-to-day functioning of the program. YCPs are expected to provide ongoing, culturally sensitive care while adhering to organizational policies and procedures. A major focus of their work is to provide support for high-risk children and youth who are at risk of becoming victims of sexual-exploitation, or who have already become victims.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Be aware of the whereabouts of all youth accessing the shelter at-all-times as per program dictates and policies
• Interact with young people in a manner designed to help them feel safe and accepted
• Develop, manage, facilitate, and direct all daily program activities
• Develop and implement program routines in agreement with the Supervisor
• Record keeping and report writing as required
• Ensuring that all receipts for items purchased on program funds are collected and forwarded to the Supervisor
• Observes, evaluate, and records daily life events according to the program recording procedures.
• Work as part of the team to ensure consistency in the youth’s experiences and intervention plans while accessing services and support from the StreetReach (SR) Shelter Program
• Directly engage and develop relationships with high-risk youth who are receiving support through their brief and / or continued involvement with the StreetReach Programs (Community Outreach and Shelter)
• Meet with youth individually and in a group to discuss issues related to their life and experiences, reflecting on the reasons for their involvement with the SR Shelter Program and how they might access other community-based resources that will reduce their risk for being sexually exploited
• Intervene into daily life experiences to help the young person recognize risks for being exploited and to encourage alternative choices that could reduce such potentials
• Engage with a youth to help them identify significant others that support their need for healthy connections and belonging
• Participate with the team in making informed culturally responsive decisions regarding therapeutic methods based on observations and interactions with the young people and their knowledge of the young person’s culture.
• Engage youth in relevant recreational activities while involved with the SR Shelter Program
• Active involvement with youth in developmentally appropriate activities within the facility
• Planning for meals and grocery shopping, engaging youth in the process when appropriate
• Meal preparation – encourage youth to participate in cooking and baking while accessing support from the SR Shelter Program
• Follow the agency guidelines with regard to appropriate nutritional planning
• Assess clothing needs and ensure that youth have clothing suitable for the season. Help youth learn how to care for their clothes
• Record keeping and taking inventory at time of program intake and upon departure from the Shelter
• Assist with maintenance and cleanliness of physical property, building and yard
• Assist with maintenance and upkeep of program vehicles and appliances
• Work with youth to ensure a clean and healthy physical environment on a daily basis
• Ensure a clean environment on a daily basis for the youth of the program
• Advocate for a healthy and safe environment for young people
• Participate in the assignment of any other job-related tasks as requested by the supervisor or manager

EXPERIENCE :

• Demonstrated understanding and appreciation for issues and concerns of Indigenous peoples within a child welfare environment
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and the ability to operate in a networked environment, which may include writing incident reports, develop and edit documents and correspond with emails
• Ability to handle sensitive situations and confidential information in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Must have knowledge, experience and understanding of Indigenous culture and traditions
• Must provide services through an Indigenous lens that is holistic and focuses on the strengths and experiences of Indigenous children, youth, families and communities
• Knowledge of history and impact of intergenerational barriers and oppression faced by Indigenous people
• Knowledge of systems for children in care, school, and family functioning and child welfare preferred
• Willingness to obtain or complete training as per The Link Policy and / or organizational required training

EDUCATION :

• Completion of high school or equivalent program and a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the youth care field
• A combination of education and experience may be considered

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT :

• Willingness to obtain necessary training as per the organization's training policy including : Crisis De-escalation, Applied Suicide Intervention, Colonization Awareness and Child Development
• Emergency First Aid and CPR Level C or willingness to obtain
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search, a clear Child Abuse Registry check with acceptable Prior Contact checks and a clear Adult Abuse Registry check, all done within the last 3 months

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities upon request. If you are contacted by The Link regarding a job opportunity, please know that you are welcome to request accommodation at any point in the process. All information received regarding accommodations will be kept confidential.

SALARY RANGE : $18.00 per hourincluding northern allowance which is equal to 5% of the base salary.

HOURS OF WORK : Full-time - 8 hours per day; Overnight; Shift may vary depending on the program need.