YOUTH CARE WORKER 

Classification:                    Youth Care

 Reports to:                           Facility Supervisor and/or Coordinator of Youth Care

 May receive direction

From or be required to

Report to:                             Coordinator of Care Management and Clinical Services of Executive Director

Minimum Qualifications: 

 ·        Possess a recognized child-care worker diploma or a Bachelor’s degree in the human services field

·        Registration with the appropriate professional association

·        Minimum experience required will be dependent upon the position being filled

·        Ongoing development of knowledge and skills

·        Training on an annual basis to meet or exceed the standards of their professional association

·        Meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the Province of Nova Scotia, Department of Community Services, Provincial Standards for Residential Child-Caring Facilities; Children and Family Services Act and Regulations;

POSITION SUMMARY

 All Youth Care workers are expected to have the interests of the youth in mind in the delivery of all services; provide leadership to all youth care workers to be able to deliver the highest level of care and services to the Clientele of ADCRF. The incumbent shall have a genuine concern for youth and their families and an appreciation of the issues they face and be familiar with and have an understanding of the goals and objectives of the Association.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

The incumbent is accountable to all standards and expectations of the Province of Nova Scotia:

·        Provincial Standards for Residential Child-Caring Facilities

·        Children and Family Services Act

·        Nova Scotia Child Abuse Protocol

·        ADCRF Code of Conduct

·        Code of Conduct and Ethics of their professional association

·        Occupational Health and Safety Act

CORE COMPETENCIES

The incumbent is required to perform, exhibit and lead by example in the following areas:

·        Analytical and conceptual thinking

·        Client service orientation

·        Sharing Knowledge and developing others

·        Self Control

·        Relationship Building

·        Information Seeking

·        Communication skills (verbal and written)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In all duties and responsibilities and any delegation of tasks, the incumbent is responsible to ensure that all matters under the Provincial Standards for Residential Child-Caring Facilities which fall under their responsibilities are routinely reviewed and that the Standards are met or exceeded.

·        Demonstrate respect of the youth and others In all duties and interaction with the youth and other workers

·        Fully participate in ADCRF and external committees as required

·        Ensure compliance with the recording requirements for admissions, logs, and reports and they are properly stored and retained for the required time periods

Youth care workers are expected to be:

-         a significant, caring adult

-         an effective youth care worker

-         a responsible team member

 1.      A SIGNIFICANT CARING ADULT

Provide a Suitable Adult Role Model

·        Provide the opportunity for each youth to learn socially acceptable behaviours and manners in a caring environment

·        Provide youth with ample opportunities to learn about everyday family experiences

·        Lead by example and model behaviours that are socially acceptable

·        Lead by example and demonstrate to youth self control and discipline through consistent example and intervention (to understand the difference between discipline, punishment and fear)

·        Maintain the living environment in a safe, hygienic and homely manner

·        Lead by example in the Youth Care Worker’s own relationships and communication a nondiscriminatory sense of mutual respect

Have an intense concern for the well-being of the youth

-        Provide each youth with the optimum level of care possible

·        Promote the development, growth, self-worth and sense of belonging of each youth

·        Know intimately the youth in your care, and to the best of your ability, know where they are at all times and ensure their safety

·        Provide a secure and safe environment for each child without fear of punitive, damaging punishment.  All corrective actions for unacceptable behaviour must be consistent, timely, age-appropriate and relevant to the behaviour and consistent with ADCRF policies

·        Accept unconditionally the youth and family

·        Provide an accepting and caring environment for each child where h/she can feel and know this his/her history and background are not held against him/her

·        Maintain all information on the youth and family in the strictest confidence under the ADCRF and Provincial Standards policies and use it as the foundation to build the youth’s future

Have a dedicated involvement in the total life of each youth in your care

·        Take an active, participating interest in the youth’s school life, life-skill program and all other programs and interests

·        Encourage and assist each youth to become involved in the community

·        Develop an awareness of each youth’s individual psychological, educational, physical, spiritual, and social needs and to actively promote these on behalf of the youth

·        In consultation with the Facility Supervisor and/or Coordinator of Youth Care, become involved appropriate with the youth’s family

2.      AN EFFECTIVE YOUTH CARE WORKER

 Show initiative

·        Demonstrate initiative in order to maximize each youth’s potential to achieve

·        Use initiative within the parameters of the Policy and Procedures  and the financial resources of the Facility

·        Use initiative to benefit the growth and development of the Youth Care Team

·        In consultation with the Facility Supervisor and/or Coordinator of Youth Care, appropriately implement and share with other staff, skills and ideas learned through training, study and supervision

Provide a caring atmosphere and environment

·        Demonstrate, at all times, that you care for each youth individually and are sensitive to his/her needs

·        Demonstrate care and respect for the unit and living area to create a safe, homely environment for the youth in your care

Provide for the development and physical care of each youth

·        Development

        -         promote the overall development of each individual youth to meet his/her personal needs (physical, emotional, spiritual, social and educational)

-         learn and know the developmental stages of childhood and adolescence to determine behaviour that is age appropriate and implement programs accordingly

 ·        Physical Care

        -         encourage each youth to take an interest in and care for his/her living space

-         ensure that each youth has sufficient clothing of his/her own; ensuring that all clothing is maintained and tagged as per ADCRF policy

-         Lead by example to teach each youth to value and care for his/her own personal possessions and respect the property of others

-         Lead by example to teach and ensure that each youth takes care of his/her own personal hygiene and appearance

-         Recognize ailments and ensure they are treated appropriately

-         Ensure that each youth has adequate nutrition, sleep and physical exercise to maintain good health

 Set up and maintain a structured environment

 ·        Establish and maintain limits and structure in each youth’s environment to ensure safety and to manage behaviour

·        Be consistent in the maintenance of a structured environment and rules

·        Implement general and unit rule through appropriate discipline

 Ensure completion of all administrative duties

 ·        Ensure that all policies and procedures are followed and that all reports, logs, forms, etc. are completed fully and in a timely manner

·        Ensure that all regular administrative duties are carried out as required

·        Be accountable and ensure that all appointments are kept

 3.      A RESPONSIBLE TEAM MEMBER

 Foster, generate and participate in team work and cooperation

 ·        Be a participating and supportive member of the Youth Care Team

·        Cooperate with colleagues in order to generate and promote better youth care practice and to develop an understanding of each other

·        Lend assistance to when a colleague is in need

·        Foster and maintain communications with all team members for the general well being of youth

·        Ensure policies and procedures are followed and in a timely manner when recording or reporting problems or concerns

Develop an active commitment to the child care profession

·        Conduct yourself in a manner that is a credit to the youth care profession and its ethics

·        Demonstrate an active commitment towards personal growth and advancement through participation in training

Be loyal and Responsible

·        Demonstrate an active loyalty to ADCRF and its facilities and programs including the youth, colleagues and other staff

·        Demonstrate responsibility and concern for all the possessions and facilities of ADCRF [facility, vehicles, grounds, furniture, linens, living space, etc.)

·        Respect the confidential nature of the work and the team

·        Other duties as may be assigned by the Facility Supervisor, Coordinator of Youth Care or the Executive Director

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment demands strong concentration and the ability to focus while maintaining a sensitivity and appreciation of the delicate balance required with the clientele.  Work hours are based upon client needs.  Must be able to work independently and under stressful conditions.  Working environment often requires sensitivity to cultural, societal differences and appropriate protocols.  Working conditions include physical, emotional and mental demands.