Youth Care Worker - Casual

YOUTH CARE HOME: In 2023, the ACEH is opening the first Culturally Supportive Care Home in the Greater Victoria Area for Indigenous youth (ages 12-19) in the care of Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services with lived experience of homelessness, substance use, and/or exploitation. This program will provide 24/7 care, supporting youths’ physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Support will include three (3) meals per day; nutrition and care planning; Elder and Aunty/Uncle support; land-based healing; health and wellness programming; life skills mentorship; hygiene and clothing support; connection with community services and events; cultural and family connection; and much more. With over 60% of local unhoused Indigenous youth having experience with the foster care system, this program is critical in preventing adult homelessness through cultural and community connections. 

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the Youth Care Home Manager, the Youth Care Worker will provide a safe, non-judgmental, warm family space where Indigenous youth can develop a strong sense of Indigenous self-identity and purpose. They will also provide support across various areas, including cooking, cleaning, mentorship, transportation, programming, and property maintenance to ensure the youth are well cared for and supported in their development toward adulthood. 

Available Casual Role

Wage: $28.00 per hour. Additional $2 top-up applies to hours worked between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

Start Date: Conditional on satisfactory caregiver screening. 

Location: Saanich BC 

Application Submission: You are required to submit a resume that highlights community/organization involvements, education, certification, demonstrated contract experience, and how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will support and contribute to the ACEH and our community through a cultural lens.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates with Indigenous ancestry. The ACEH values strength in diversity. As an inclusive employer that celebrates the gifts of all its employees, we encourage members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to apply.

Applications will be received until positions are filled. Only qualified candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

●      Ensure the safety and well-being of all youth in the program during night hours. 

●      Enforce curfew and visitation policies and procedures. 

●      Support youth with meeting goals outlined in their Care Plan: Educational, Financial, Employment, Familial, Cultural, Housing, Skills, Knowledge, Nutrition, and Substance Use. 

●      Provide transportation to the hospital, community events, land-based healing, social events, youth cultural drop-in program at the Quadra Office, family visits etc. as required. 

●      Upkeep of the property, including regular cleaning, mowing the lawn, shoveling the driveway, inventory, washing dishes, etc. 

●      Plan and deliver weekly social evening activities. 

●      Actively participate in all mandatory staff meetings and training sessions.

●      Support the ACEH’s value of being a good neighbour. This includes building relationships, being respectful at all times, and minimizing disturbances (i.e., noise, parking issues)

●      Outreach as needed to support the safety of all youth.  

●      Provide conflict resolution between youth when required.

●      Respond to emergencies in accordance with established policies and procedures (i.e., restraint use); communicate with appropriate staff, nurses, and First Responders. 

●      Record case notes, incident reports, and other relevant information in the CAMS database in a timely manner. 

●      Report to the designated contact at Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services as prescribed by the Community Care & Assisted Living Act (i.e., illness, administration of Naloxone, reportable incident etc.)

●      Follow safety and security protocols with regular drills and briefings provided to all youth.  

●      Medication administration and monitoring, in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Medication Safety and Advisory Committee. Please note this will only occur once the home is a Licensed Care Facility and that training will be provided for this function once it is in place.  

●      Performs other related duties as requested.

REQUIREMENTS

·       Required post-secondary education and/or related training (i.e., Child and Youth Care, Social Services, Health Care Aide). Education and credentials will be valued only as much as work experience.  

·       Required caregiver screening by the Ministry of Child & Family Services’ Hub. Screening submission will include at a minimum, Consent for Disclosure of Criminal Record Information and Consent for Prior Contact Form. 

·       Required Valid First Aid and CPR from a course that meets the requirements of Schedule C. 

·       Required Naloxone Overdose Training from a certified healthcare professional.

·       Required Foodsafe Level 1 Equivalent.

·       A valid driver’s license, insurance, driver’s abstract, and dependable vehicle are required.

·       Preferred Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certification.

·       Compliance with BC’s Immunization and TB Control programs.

·       Three references: work-related from the past three years.

·       Experience or personal insights working cooperatively with Indigenous youth with lived experience and addictions considered an asset.

·       Experience working with non-profit organizations, family support, social services, and Indigenous support services considered an asset.

Skills and Abilities

·       Upholds a positive and encouraging demeanor, demonstrating flexibility and reliability.

·       Possesses excellent verbal communication and organizational skills.

·       Demonstrates the ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively within a team.

·       Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

·       Proficient in using computers. 

·       Ability to deal professionally, effectively, and non-judgmentally with people with lived experience.

·       Holds a progressive understanding of mental health challenges, chronic alcoholism, substance use, and addictions, recognizing their impacts on overall health, well-being, and quality of life.

·       Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the intergenerational trauma that occurs as a result of colonization and the residue of the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems and structures.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WHO WE ARE: The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) has a vision to lead long-term, systemic change to better meet the needs of our people living away from home and experiencing homelessness. Our work is centered on the voices of Indigenous peoples who have shared their immediate needs, lived experiences, and perspectives on solutions. Through research and experience, we have learned that a culturally-supportive model of care is key, and strategies that include cultural supports provide better outcomes in terms of transitioning and sustaining housing for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to build a culturally safe community and provide opportunities for reconnection to family and ancestral lands, culture, and tradition, to strengthen Indigenous identity and purpose. 

CAER HOME TEAM: House Manager, Elder(s), Aunty/Uncle, Outreach Worker, Youth Programs Manager, Land-Based Healing Manager, HR, Director of Housing Operations, Executive Director

This Youth Care Worker will be required to work within a fast-paced, often changing and sometimes stressful environment. There will be instances when the Youth Care Worker must work with youth in crises. Flexibility is key. The ability to function independently under pressure while managing situations, including emergencies, is an ongoing expectation. A thorough understanding of personal self-care and self-management will be necessary, and applicants need to pre-assess their ability to work 12-hour shifts under these circumstances.