Job Description

August 21, 2025
Job Posting #1171

Children's Services Worker

Full Time Permanent

The York Region Children's Aid Society (YRCAS) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect. As a leader within the child welfare sector, we partner with parents, caregivers, and community to provide a safe environment for children and youth, through equitable, culturally aligned services.


Comprised of interdisciplinary teams of diverse professionals who push boundaries in support of family centered care, we engage with children and families for a stronger, healthier community within the York Region.


YRCAS is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within their role, generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission and goal to create a healthy workplace and community where children youth and families thrive.


To support us on our journey, YRCAS is looking for a Children's Services Worker to support our Child, Youth and Family Wellbeing Department.

Why Work for Us?

Hybrid working model (working virtual and in person) Casual dress code Employer paid Health & Dental Benefit Five (5) float days per calendar year One day off every five (5) weeks during Winter months Shortened Summer hours OMERS Pension, with employer and employee sharing premiums equally Mileage Reimbursement Enhanced Wellness Initiatives Virtual Fitness Classes

SUMMARY OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Children's Services Supervisor, the Children's Services Worker will work within the Resources area of the Child and Family Wellbeing department. The Children's Services Worker will work directly with children and youth in the care of the Society and ensure compliance with all Ministry Regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting privacy visits, hosting Plan of Care meetings, and maintaining up-to-date records for children and youth in care.

NATURE OF POSITION:

To provide an ongoing assessment of the child's needs and to develop an appropriate Plan of Care based on these needs. To coordinate and attend meetings to review Plans of Care and to ensure the continued implementation of strategies and services to meet the child's needs. To participate in the development and implementation of alternative residential care plans for children requiring placement. To work closely with foster parents and other care providers in supporting and planning for children in care. To work with foster parents and other Society staff to assist in the facilitation of access between children in care and their natural families. To develop permanency plans for children and youth in care. To support youth in care moving onto independence. To monitor childcare practices within placements and to alert the supervisor of any potential problems regarding the care and protection of the child. To report child protection concerns involving children in care and, in the event of an investigation of abuse or neglect, to support the child through the investigative process. To provide information and support to the appropriate parties during and after serious occurrence investigations. To negotiate and prepare Special Care Rate Agreement for additional (one-to-one) staffing in placements in conjunction with the Supervisor and to monitor one-to-one staffing to ensure it meets the needs of the child.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Qualified candidates will possess a Bachelor of Social Work Degree / Master of Social Work or BSW equivalency of; + Master's Degree in a Human Services related field, and a minimum of three (3) years relevant experience working with children and families.
+ Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services related field, and a minimum of three (3) years relevant experience working with children and families.
+ CYW and a minimum of three (3) years' experience working with children and families.
Previous experience in clinical services to children combined with a direct knowledge of residential systems is desirable. Knowledge of normal child development

Knowledge and Skills

Excellent working knowledge of the Child Youth and Family Services Act, Ministry Standards and guidelines, and Society policies and procedures. Knowledge of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices and principles, including sensitivity to Indigenous, Black, racialized, gender, and disability-related issues and their intersection(s) with other identities including socio-economic status, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, etc. Thorough understanding of and ability to practice a strength-based, anti-oppressive and culturally sensitive approach with children, youth, their parents, and extended family (kin and kith) Knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action, the OACAS Indigenous Reconciliation Framework Knowledge of the One Vision One Voice Practice Framework Race Equity practices Good knowledge of diagnostic and treatment theories with the ability to integrate theory and practice. Good knowledge of childhood, emotional, behavioural, and social disturbances in order to assess the child's requirements and develop appropriate plans of care. Analytical skills to assess client's needs and to determine ongoing appropriate requirements. Organizational skills to prioritize tasks, be self-initiating and work independently. Excellent written communication skills to document information in a clear, concise and accurate manner. Good interpersonal skills to liaise with community professionals and other Society Staff. Good verbal communication skills to provide support and guidance to foster parents. Bilingualism in French would be considered an asset

PAY GRADE:

Union-Pay Grade 7 ($73,840.98 - $96,195.10)

HOURS OF WORK

33.75 hours per week

Candidates who meet the qualifications are welcome to apply no later than

September 2, 2025 by 11:59PM.

Internal Applicants: Please apply for this opportunity using your Agency ADP account.


External Applicants: Apply here: yorkcas.org/careers


We appreciate all applications received. All communications will be held in strict and professional confidence. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their submissions.


Employment at York Region Children's Aid Society is conditional upon the verification of credentials, a satisfactory vulnerable sector check, and a class "G" driver's license with daily access to an insured vehicle. York Region Children's Aid Society works in a hybrid virtual and on-site working environment.

Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism at York Region Children's Aid Society

YRCAS is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of York Region and strongly encourages application from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

York Region Children's Aid Society is committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment practices is a key aspect of the search process. The current posting is in search of candidates who identified from the following equity seeking groups; women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. If you are of the aforementioned identities, and feel comfortable making it known, you may choose to self-identify as member of a designated group. Any information directly related to you is kept confidential and used in a safe manner to inform our recruitment process towards being an equal opportunity employer.

Vaccination Policy

York CAS prioritizes the health and safety of their employees and closely follows the Public Health Guidelines and Recommendations. The agency's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement as a condition of employment is currently suspended. Should the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement be reinstated, all active agency employees will be required to comply with YRCAS' Mandatory COVID-19 policy (providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination-2 doses required).

Accommodation at YRCAS

We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants that may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify the Human Resources Department when contacted for an interview.


Human Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process, which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.


Children at the heart of all that we do!