Intensive Family Support Worker, Cyc

Who we are

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities’ most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families.

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

Who we need

The Intensive Family Support Program (IFSP) provides Intensive Family-based therapeutic and mental health services supporting at-risk children ages 0 to 11. An interdisciplinary team works with the whole family to complete a thorough assessment and develop a collaborative action plan that may include individual and family counselling, specialized group services, parenting strategies, home-based, school, and community support and advocacy.

We are looking for an Intensive Family Support Workerto join our team. You will play a vital role in the collaborative Intensive Family Support program, working alongside a dedicated team of Child and Youth Counsellors, Child and Family Clinicians, and Psychologists. Your responsibilities encompass a diverse range of duties aimed at providing essential support to families and children facing emotional and therapeutic interventions which may be delivered to individuals, groups and families. You are willing and able to travel to other sites and can work flexible hours in the day or evening to meet client needs.

What's in it for you

Profound purpose. You want to take children and their families along a journey of self-empowerment, strengthening attachment and family relationships and behavioural strategies. You will play a critical role in developing a plan of action. You want to be a calming and secure presence, a caring and steady champion for the well-being of clients and parents.

Growth as a Support Worker and as a compassionate human.Following our evidence-based practices and proven processes, you want to expand your knowledge, skills, and impact. You will be part of in-house professional development opportunities, guided coaching and mentoring. Through cross-functional collaboration and as a result of our broad scope of services, you will gain insights through interactions with other Support Workers, Social Workers, Psychologists, and Child and Youth Workers.

As our new Intensive Family Support Worker, you will:

• Provide Family Support. You will work with parents and caregivers helping to structure home and community environments and offering counselling, and guidance to families dealing with emotional and behavioural difficulties. You will provide home-based family services, including crisis management, safety planning, coaching, psychoeducation, advocacy, case management, skills development, and system navigation.
• Collaborate. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team, communicating with mental health partners, educational institutions, and families or guardians.
• Be active in the Day School. You will support day-to-day functioning in the CDI day treatment classroom. You will consult with the Day Treatment team for clients in the program, addressing social, emotional, and behavioural challenges.
• Create plans and manage case files. You will manage a caseload, implementing therapeutic skill-building interventions using a strength-based model. You will assess, develop, and implement interventions for high-needs, at-risk children requiring intensive support. You will prepare services based on assessments, plan and participate in therapeutic activities, and co-facilitate parent groups. You will facilitate meetings to enlist supports, assess referrals, and monitor, evaluate, and modify interventions for effectiveness.
• Complete reporting. You will comply with agency and accreditation standards, including report writing, treatment planning, participation in ongoing professional development and staff meetings. You will update information systems with accurate data and maintain agency records as required. This may include assessment reports, intervention plans, closing reports, pre/post measures, case notes, statistics and other documentation, as required by agency standards.

What you bring:

• The experience. You have a Child Youth Worker diploma or degree in a related area with five (5) years of experience in children's mental health in a community-based setting. You have exposure to a multi-disciplinary environment working with high-risk families, supporting assessments and crisis management, and contributing to action plans to improve social and behavioural outcomes.
• The therapeutic expertise. You have the proven ability to gain trust and nurture relationships. You have outstanding listening skills and demonstrate mental attentiveness in face-to-face and telephone interactions with young clients, families, other service providers, community members, colleagues and managers. You can balance priorities and manage interruptions that require constant refocusing. You can handle crisis situations and unplanned drop-ins when they occur.
• The interpersonal skills. A dedicated and flexible team player, you can interact with team members and colleagues at all levels of the organization, reflecting on and integrating clinical learning and feedback into practice. You have a deep respect for diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
• The flexibility. You are flexible to work evenings on a regular basis to meet individual, family, or group needs.

Compensation: $60,614 per annum. This is a unionized position under OPSEU.

Other requirements

• All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Credential verifications and references are required.
• As a condition of employment, you are required to provide updated COVID vaccinations in compliance with the CDI Mandatory Vaccination Policy.

Join us.

Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.

At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:

• Full health and well-being benefits and generous paid time off.
• Flexible hours in a planned program environment.
• A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Ongoing paid professional development opportunities and certifications.

If you want to be part of our vision to make a measurable lifelong impact on the mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families, join us.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application.

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role and background.
• An in-person interview with the Hiring Manager and an HR Representative will allow you to further expand on your knowledge and experience and ask questions.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at careers@childdevelop.ca

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