Child and Youth Counsellor - In Home Family Support

Recognized throughout Southwestern Ontario as a leader in children’s (birth-14 years) mental health, Vanier Children’s Mental Wellness provides innovative treatment programs and services for children, experiencing emotional and behavioural challenges. As a registered charity and not-for-profit agency, Vanier has been in operation for over 54 years and is funded by the Ontario government. Vanier Children's Mental Wellness mission is to improve the lives of infants, children, and their families through the provision of mental health services based on clinical excellence, collaboration, partnerships, and system leadership. Appointed by the Ontario Government as “Lead Agency for Child/Youth Mental Health (CYMH) System Management” in London-Middlesex (2014), Vanier is also accountable for community-wide Child/Youth Mental Health System Planning (MCYS: “Moving on Mental Health”).  

Position Summary:

Responsible for providing brief (8-12 week), intensive, in-home intervention for children with serious behavioural, emotional, and social problems. IFS are available for families living in London and Middlesex County.  IFS counsellors work with the family within their home, community and child's school. The program provides:

• parent skill-building/education
• supportive counselling
• referral/case management
• facilitate access to child/youth skill building groups and parenting groups
• safety planning
• advocacy skill training

 Education/Training/Experience:

1. Community college diploma or university degree in child and youth work
2. Minimum of five (5) years' experience in residential treatment.
3. Valid driver’s license with adequate liability coverage
4. Must have Standard First Aid, CPR “C”, and Crisis Intervention Training certification at the time of applying for this position.
5. Good understanding of trauma and impact on children; cognitive behaviour approach with children and youth; and relationship issues.
6. Experience in providing individual, group and parent counselling as well as solution focused therapy

Abilities:

1. Demonstrated ability to act as a primary worker.
2. Demonstrated ability to work independently
3. Demonstrated ability to set appropriate respectful boundaries with each family.
4. Demonstrated ability to engage families
5. Demonstrated ability in goal-setting with families
6. Must have good time management skills and be able to effectively prioritize client’s needs.
7. Must be able to utilize flexible and creative negotiation skills in solving problems.
8. Must have good skills at assessing level of risk prior to and during each in-home contact.
9. Ability to adapt to a flexible work schedule which includes morning, evening, and weekend work, as well as providing support for safety protocol on a rotating basis

The following Core Competencies will be focused on for this position:   

• Problem Analysis
• Initiative
• Listening
• Controlled Demeanour

 Hours of Work:

• 35 hours/week work schedule is determined by client needs but workers are to be available seven days per week to their families – often their workday is split with morning home visits and evening home visits.

Job Type:

• Permanent Full-time

Salary:

• $28.49-$32.56 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care