Job Description

Overview

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Child & Youth Lead to join our team. This role is essential in supporting the healing and development of children and youth impacted by violence--recognizing that their needs are deeply interconnected with their caregivers, culture, and community. This role will serve children and youth who enter our 2nd stage transition house for Indigenous women and children who have experienced intimate partner and/or family violence.

Responsibilities

Assessment & Planning

Conduct culturally sensitive intakes and developmental assessments for children and youth.

Coordinating Services & Supports

Connect children/youth to external services: mental health (e.g., Indigenous youth counselling), healthcare, child development specialists, tutoring, recreation, and spiritual/cultural programs. Coordinate with school liaisons, childcare providers, and after-school programs to ensure continuity and support. Accompany children/youth and caregivers to appointments when needed.

Program Participation & Support

Collaborate with program lead to ensure the programs are emotionally and developmentally appropriate for children & youth. Facilitate and support child & youth participation in planned programming.

Emotional & Cultural Support

Create a welcoming, culturally safe, and trauma-informed environment for women and children in the transition house. Provide consistent, low-barrier emotional support to youth in everyday interactions. Use a trauma-informed, culturally grounded lens to help children understand safety, emotions, and resilience. Work closely with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to incorporate Indigenous teachings, language, and ceremony into support plans and activities. Advocate for traditional healing options alongside mainstream services.

Documentation & Monitoring

Maintain confidential records of youth interactions, progress notes, care updates, and any significant events. Monitor for signs of trauma, regression, or unmet needs and work with the team to adapt support accordingly.

Caregiver Support & Advocacy

Help mothers/caregivers understand their child's developmental or emotional needs and how they can support healing. Advocate for youth within systems (e.g., school, healthcare, child welfare) while uplifting parental voice and authority. Work in collaboration with other staff to support mothers navigating child-related systems (custody, school supports, health appointments, etc.). Support family to meet parenting needs.

Crisis Response & Safety Planning

Respond to youth emotional or behavioral crises using trauma-informed de-escalation. Participate in developing and implementing safety plans for youth as needed. Coordinate with the broader staff team to ensure youth are considered in shelter-wide safety procedures. Collaborate with mothers/caregivers to identify each child's strengths, needs, and goals. Support children/youth in meeting their goals and their family's goals Individualized transition and safety planning for children/youth.

Requirements

This job is

designated for qualified Indigenous applicants

in accordance with s. 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act. Indigenous applicants are asked to

please self-identify in their cover letter.

Bachelor's degree in Childhood Studies, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. Minimum of 3 years' experience in child/youth work, social services, mental health, or homelessness. Class 5 Driver's license. Reliable vehicle access for on-call emergencies. Clear Vulnerable Sector Check & Criminal Records Check (to obtain upon hiring). CPR-C (to be provided upon hiring if not already completed). Trauma-informed care training (to be provided upon hiring).
Strong understanding of:

family violence mental health Intersectionality Trauma-informed care Harm reduction OCAP principles Demonstrated ability to assess children and youth in crisis, and refer to appropriate resources; Deep commitment to reconciliation, equity, and culturally safe support; Awareness of local and regional support networks, with creativity in navigating resource gaps; Understanding of diverse family systems and dynamics; Works well both in groups and independently; Comfortable communicating with community members - going into community; Collaborating with team for problem-solving, providing well-rounded family-oriented care to residents of the transition house; Personable, approachable - ability to develop meaningful relationships with residents, co-workers, and community members; Respectful engagement - non-judgemental, open to diversity ways of living and being; Ability to facilitate groups; Excellent communication, organization, and boundary-setting skills.
NOTE: Equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.

Assets

Familiarity/experience with court systems, family law, custody orders Understanding of child welfare act ASIST training, mental health first aid training, or similar
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Dental care Employee assistance program Extended health care On-site parking Paid time off Vision care
Application question(s):

Do you have a Class 5 Driver's licence, clean Criminal Records and Vulnerable Sector Check? Do you have reliable transportation? This job requires some on-call work. Are you comfortable working a rotating on-call schedule with other staff to cover weekends, holidays and vacations?
Education:

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:

child/youth work: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person