Youth Worker - Relief (Home Base, Connections, SHINE, HOPE)

360°kids has been a leader in the delivery of innovative support services for over 35 years as we work to improve the lives of homeless and at-risk youth and families in York Region. We are a vitally important community agency serving all of York Region.  At 360°kids, we provide a unique continuum of care approach with a range of programs and services that are essential to the health and well-being of youth and that are proven strategies for helping to keep youth off the streets by providing safe housing options.

360°kids is in needs Relief Youth Workers in various programs that will provide client centered, hands on support to youth in a drop-in, emergency shelter or SHINE environments. The Youth Workers will work with the youth to assess their immediate needs, provide support to the residents, maintain order and to assist the residents achieve success in transitioning to securing housing.

LOCATION: Various locations across York Region

REPORTS TO: Program Team Lead

Direct accountabilities include:

• Provide youth with a safe place to stay and basic needs (food, bedding and hygiene) while they emerge from crisis.
• Respond to immediate needs, provide supports, and resolve conflicts.
• Follow up with youth regarding their case plan, goals, and activities, and make referrals or do warm transfers as required. 

• Responsible for creating and maintaining a clean and welcoming environment for Youth in care.
• Provide ongoing life skills (where applicable), support and mentoring.

• Complete daily documentation, including case notes and daily statistics.
• Work with youth to assess their housing needs and help them look for housing.
• Make appropriate referrals to internal programs and/or external partners.
• Provide youth with encouragement and help connect them to supports that will help them address challenges in their lives.
• Provide ongoing daily support, assistance and encouragement to break the cycles of poverty and homelessness.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualification & Skills Required :

• Post-Secondary degree/diploma in a Child/youth related field (e.g. Child and Youth, Social Service Worker, Social Worker, Psychology, Sociology) or the equivalent combination of education and experience working with youth.  Minimum of two years’ experience working with “at-risk” or street involved youth.
• Extensive knowledge of working with youth, including understanding of harm reduction principals and trauma informed care.  

• Demonstrated client focused counselling skills and role modelling. 
• Excellent communication skills and have the ability to be adaptable with a flexible approach taking into consideration the unique qualities of each client. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills that promote positive team building, negotiation and conflict resolution. 
• A broad knowledge of community resources and the ability to strongly advocate for clients and professional referrals. 
• Current First Aid/CPR certification, current vulnerable sector screening (criminal background check).
• Candidates must be flexible to work a variety of shifts including evening, weekend and overnight shifts. Shifts will take place on site our Richmond Hill and Markham locations
• Overnight shifts are awake shifts with ability to respond to incidents as they arise
• Car and valid driver’s license with a clean driver’s abstract and $2M liability insurance an asset.

360°kids is an equal opportunity employer.  We welcome diversity in the workplace and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  360°kids offer accommodation for applicants in our recruitment process, if you are contacted regarding a job opportunity please advise if you require accommodation.