Child and Youth Care Worker

Social and community service workers (4212)

Aboriginal outreach worker, Addictions worker, Child and youth worker, Community development worker, Community service worker, Crisis intervention worker, Drop-in centre worker, Family service worker, Mental health worker, Social services worker, Welfare and compensation officer

Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline is usually required.

Previous work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may replace formal education requirements for some occupations in this unit group. Social service workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces.

Medium.
Employment outlook is mostly fair in most provinces. More information is available here.

Progression to professional occupations in social services, such as family and marriage counsellors, social workers, and probation and parole officers, is possible with additional training and experience.

0-1 year of relevant experience are usually required

Child and Youth Care - Bachelor of Child and Youth Care- MacEwan University
Child and Youth Care – Diploma with practicum – NorQuest College
Child and Youth Care – Diploma (Online/in-person) with field placements – Humber College

General learning ability - to assess and investigate clients' eligibility for social benefits and to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions

Verbal ability - to interview clients in order to obtain case histories and background information, to meet with clients to discuss problems and assess their progress, and to provide support and crisis intervention

Numerical ability and Clerical perception - to maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research and to prepare intake reports. Social interest in consulting with social assistance recipients and pensioners to advise and aid them in locating and utilizing a variety of community resources; in referring clients to other social services; in counselling clients living in group homes and halfway houses and assisting in pre-release and release planning; in providing crisis intervention and emergency-shelter services; and in coordinating volunteer activities of community and social services organizations

Methodical interest - in compiling information to participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs; to assess clients' relevant skill strengths and deficits; and in maintaining contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress

Innovative interest - in assisting clients to sort out options and develop plans of action, and in implementing and organizing the delivery of life-skills workshops, substance-abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social workers and health care professionals

Membership of relevant organizations and peer groups for networking

Canadian Association of Social workers
Alberta College of Social workers
These organisations provide certifications, training, and continuing education for the career path.

Community organizations and establishments, Correctional facilities, Government agencies, Group homes, Mental health agencies, School boards, Social service agencies, Substance abuse centres, Shelters

May take a degree programs on this topic. Also, volunteering for child and youth care might help get into a program or overall improvement of profile of a candidate.