The Child and Youth Worker Role at Safe Harbours
Safe Harbours Family Treatment Homes Ltd. is a licensed children's residence operator regulated by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017. We provide treatment-level care to children and youth with complex needs across a range of program levels, from our Treatment and Therapeutic homes through to individualized (ISA) and staff model placements. The Child and Youth Worker is the foundation of that care. As the staff member with the most direct, day-to-day contact with the young people in our homes, the CYW is the person who turns a placement plan into lived, felt safety and stability for a child.
Within the Safe Harbours treatment model, the CYW works as part of a coordinated team that includes the home's foster parents or relief staff, a Case Manager, and clinical and supervisory leadership. The CYW carries out each child's individual Plan of Care under the direction of the Case Manager, putting behavioural support strategies, daily routines, and therapeutic goals into practice in the moment. This means supervising and supporting the child through morning and evening routines, school and appointments, recreation and life-skills activities, and managing crises through trauma-informed de-escalation. The CYW models healthy relationships and coping skills, helps each young person build independence and social competence, and contributes the front-line observations that shape how the rest of the team adjusts the Plan of Care over time.
Documentation and compliance are not separate from the care work, they are part of it. The CYW maintains accurate daily logs, case notes, and incident records in keeping with agency policy and the CYFSA, and contributes to Serious Occurrence reporting where required. Because our records contain sensitive personal and health information about vulnerable children, the CYW is expected to handle all documentation in accordance with our privacy obligations and the principle of collecting and recording only what is necessary for the child's care. The CYW also liaises with families, children's aid society workers, schools, and other service providers, attends team meetings and required training, and administers medication where authorized.
Standard duties
The role also carries significant documentation and compliance responsibilities, including maintaining accurate daily logs, incident reports, and case notes in accordance with agency policy and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. The CYW liaises with families, social workers, schools, and other service providers, attends team meetings and training, and administers medication where authorized. Candidates should hold a relevant diploma or degree (such as Child and Youth Care), maintain valid First Aid/CPR and crisis intervention certification, hold a clear vulnerable sector police check, and demonstrate strong communication, patience, and the ability to work flexible shifts including evenings, weekends, and overnights.
Required before hire
- First Aid ＆ CPR
- Class G Licence
- safeTALK
Education
- CYW
Training we provide
- Trauma-Informed Care
- SMG
- Kujali
- FNIM
- CYFSA Legislative
Screening: Vulnerable Sector Check required for this role.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
Use of automated tools: AI Use in Hiring: Safe Harbours Family Treatment Homes Ltd. uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in screening and assessing applications for this position. AI is used to support, not replace, human decision-making, and all hiring decisions are reviewed and made by Safe Harbours staff. If you have questions about how AI is used in our hiring process, or wish to request an accommodation, please contact us at recruitment@safeharbours.ca.
Accommodations are available on request throughout the recruitment process. Please contact us if you require accommodation.