Job Description

October 24, 2025 Posting #1509

YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth. We are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces.

YouthLink works towards equitable outcomes for youth in our community and, as such, is committed to equity-based hiring practices.

We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, and racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences. We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and will embrace working outside of Euro-centric practices.

YouthLink Benefits are Top of Class!

Competitive pay Health & dental coverage for you and your family with 100% premium cost paid by employer. Annual vacation with pay at 1.66 working days for each calendar month to a maximum of

20

working days per year.

5 'authorized absence' days for family illness or emergency circumstances that prohibit employees from reporting to work.

3 paid agency days every calendar year after 3 calendar months' service.
Maternity / parental /adoption leave top-up payments (to top-up Canadian government unemployment benefit payments) 100% premium cost for long-term disability coverage paid by employee. Eligibility to participate in pension plan after 2 years of continuous service with generous matching contribution from employer.

(pro-rated for part-time employees according to the employee's full-time equivalency (FTE))*

Live-In Treatment, Youth Worker (3 Positions)

(Permanent, Full-time, 40 hours/week)

(Bargaining unit position)

The Live-In Treatment (LIT) Youth Worker delivers front-line, strengths-based support within YouthLink's nine-bed Live-In Treatment home, serving youth who are female-identified (ages 14-18) and also welcomes gender-fluid, non-binary, and youth who are transitioning. These youth often present with complex mental health needs and histories of trauma, family conflict, and attachment disruption. Working under the Manager of Live-In Treatment, this role is integral to implementing a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and equity-centered program model. Working in YouthLink's nine-bed Live-In Treatment home, the LIT Youth Worker fosters meaningful relationships, ensures daily operational excellence, and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to advance individual treatment goals and program-wide strategic outcomes.

Highlights of Your Role

Therapeutic Engagement & Goal Support

Build rapport through consistent one-on-one check ins, applying a strengths-based, anti-oppressive lens. Conduct intentional check-ins, promote emotional regulation strategies, and mentor youth through everyday challenges. Assist each youth in developing, monitoring, and revising SMART goals related to mental health, educational achievement, and life skills. Support clients to attend group programming and be available to assist as needed. Coordinate transition planning in collaboration with case managers, ensuring seamless movement through STEP UP, STEP IN, STEP DOWN, and STEP OUT phases. Collaborate with Case Managers to reinforce Plan of Care (PoC) goals and encourage engagement in treatment activities. Encourage and support youth identity development, including race, spirituality, gender identity, and cultural expression.

Programming & Activity Facilitation

Plan life skills programming, wellness sessions, and social-recreational activities. Coordinate required weekday and weekend activities aligned with program offerings (art therapy, Afrocentric healing, equine therapy, sewing/hair therapy). Participate in delivering culturally affirming programs (e.g., Afrocentric healing, DBT skills, expressive arts). Facilitate house meetings and coordinate weekly routines to ensure youth voice and collaboration. Support aftercare planning, transition routines, and participation in alumni-focused Organize and support Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, including planning peer led workshops. Co-develop, coordinate and promote aftercare and alumni "Still Connected Program," maintaining ongoing relationships and community supports. initiatives (e.g., SCP).

Household Management

Support youth with wake-ups, bedtime routines, meals, and hygiene tasks. Oversee meal planning, grocery shopping, and kitchen coordination, adhering to budget guidelines and nutrition standards. Maintain cleanliness and order in common areas and support youth in maintaining cleanliness in their private rooms; perform routine safety audits and report maintenance/service requests. Medical tracking sheets (MARs), medical reordering, medication dispensing and documenting, completing medication audits. Ensure compliance with Occupational Health & Safety Act, agency health and safety policies, and MCCSS licensing requirements. Liaise with the team and Manager regarding maintenance issues and service requests. Support relief staff and placement students on household routines and emergency protocols, in collaboration with the Case Managers.

Crisis Intervention, Safety & Risk Management

Respond promptly to crisis situations, utilizing approved safety protocols, de-escalation techniques and individualized safety plans. Assist in risk assessments and implement individualized safety plans as required. Participate in serious occurrence reports and reviews (SOR-RL) and debrief sessions as per MCCSS guidelines; collaborate with clinical staff to refine risk mitigation strategies. Document and escalate high risk incidents according to ministry, accreditation, and agency policies. Maintain awareness of environmental and relational risks in the home.

Documentation, Communication, Reporting & Data Integrity

Document daily observations, progress notes, incident reports, and safety plans in EMHware. Communicate shift updates clearly in written logs and during handovers. Track youth milestones and achievements to support therapeutic recognition. Complete accurate progress notes, incident reports, medication logs, and safety plans in EMHware and Ocean platforms by shift end. Prepare brief reports for team meetings, highlighting trends, challenges, and successes.

Professional Growth, Supervision & Team Collaboration

Attend bi-weekly reflective supervision with the Manager and participate in team meetings, committees, and mandatory training. Attend agency and program-specific initiatives aligned with YouthLink's strategic plan. Assist with onboarding and mentoring relief staff and placement students as needed. Engage in equity, diversity, and inclusion workshops, anti-Black Racism initiatives, and trauma informed care education. Collaborate with case managers, therapists, crisis consultants, and external providers to maintain a cohesive treatment environment.

Other duties as assigned.

Highlights of What You Bring

Education:

Diploma in Child and Youth Work, Social Service Worker, Social Work or Psychology or relevant field, and/or a combination of equivalent education and experience. Bachelor's degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Psychology, or related field is an asset. Post-diploma certification in DBT, CBT, or other evidence-based therapeutic modalities is an asset

Experience:

Minimum 1 year in residential, shelter, or live-in treatment environment. Demonstrated ability to deliver trauma informed, culturally responsive care. 1+ years working with youth with complex mental health needs in live-in treatment, shelter, or intensive youth programming setting is an asset Demonstrated group facilitation experience (e.g., DBT skills groups, psychoeducational workshops) is an asset. Experience working within a unionized environment and collaborating with agency staff is an asset. Prior involvement in anti-oppressive and anti-Black Racism initiatives or EDI program development is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

In-depth understanding of adolescent development, trauma responses, attachment theory, and evidence?based interventions. Demonstrated ability to implement therapeutic routines in a live-in treatment setting. Ability to support therapeutic groups. Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, and organizational skills. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, including anti-Black Racism. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of electronic health records. Ability to document accurately and use EMHware. Understanding of CYFSA legislation. Proficiency in measurement-based care tools (e.g., interRAI, EMHware analytics) is an asset. Familiarity with Afrocentric healing practices or culturally specific interventions (e.g., drumming, dance) is an asset. Bilingual or multilingual abilities, particularly in languages prevalent within Scarborough community is an asset. Familiarity with substance use/harm reduction approaches is an asset. Certification or coursework in suicide prevention/intervention (e.g., ASIST, SafeTALK) is an asset. Thorough understanding of MCCSS licensing requirements is an asset. Valid G driver's license and safe driving record preferred is an asset.

Salary:

Starting $50,105.

Hours of work:

40 hours per week (8hrs per day, including 1 hr of paid meal break) Overtime occurs if there is a crisis that needs to be addressed or managed.

Other Requirements:

Broad Record Police Check is required. Medical clearances including up to date immunization record and 2 step tuberculosis testing is required.

Full job description available here: https://youthlink.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/JD-LIT-Youth-Worker-full-time.pdf

How to Apply

Submit application to

residentialposting@youthlink.ca - Please quote posting #1509 in the subject line.

As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of our communities. If you have a disability and require accessibility accommodations with the application process, please contact accessibility@youthlink.ca.

Job posting closing - Open until Filled.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $50,105.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events Company pension Dental care Employee assistance program Extended health care Life insurance On-site parking Paid time off Vision care
Work Location: In person