Job Description

Position:

Child and Youth Support Worker

Location:

Kitchener (Anselma House) and Cambridge (Haven House)

Status:

1 Full-Time 7-month contact

Hours

Full-time 7-mos contract will work 35 hours a week. This will include 2 evening shifts

- must be available to work varied shifts, evenings and occasional weekends

- will be required to travel between Anselma House and Haven House

Start Date:

asap

Pay Rate:

$27.59 per hour

Agency Overview

Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region (WCSWR*) provides emergency shelter to women and children fleeing abusive relationships. We operate two shelters: Anselma House in Kitchener and Haven House in Cambridge. Our facilities operate on a 24/7 basis,

and we pride ourselves in being more than shelter

. We also offer a robust region-wide outreach support program which supports families who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence. We believe that everyone deserves to live a life free from abuse.

*WCSWR supports women, transgender and gender-diverse individuals.

Position Overview

How do we define a Child and Youth Support Worker?

Develop and deliver all programs in the best interest of the children

Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, referrals and/or information regarding child related matters

Provide children with appropriate safety planning strategies to address safety and security needs

Conduct program intake and ongoing assessments of children and their mothers

Develop attainable and measurable individual plans for children (while residing at the shelter and preparing for discharge), monitor successful achievement of plans and complete necessary documentation.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Education Requirements

Child and Youth Worker Diploma, Post-Secondary education in Child Development Studies, Early Childhood Education, and/or equivalent. Must possess a minimum of one-year related experience, two to three years preferred. Experience in the Violence Against Women (VAW) sector an asset

Skill Requirements

Strong knowledge and understanding of violence against women and their children.

Must possess strong clinical assessment experience.

Thorough knowledge of the developmental needs of children and adolescents.

Knowledge of child development, and the effects upon children who have been exposed to domestic violence.

Thorough knowledge of attachment and early child development.

Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of woman abuse and child abuse, child trauma, child development, parenting, dating violence and crisis intervention and the effects they have on women and children.

Experience working with young children and their caregivers.

Experience developing and leading children's programs.

Previous experience in substance abuse and mental health assessments.

Strong knowledge of feminism and understanding of diversity, Anti-racism and Anti-oppression - cross-cultural perspective and awareness.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

The ability to travel between our locations in Kitchener and Cambridge is a requirement.

Please submit cover letter and resume on or before

November 1st, 2025

to

hr@wcswr.org

Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, to Joyce Birnstihl, Human Resources Manager, Operations.

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 7 months

Pay: $27.59 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events On-site parking Paid time off Wellness program
Work Location: In person