TPYS - Youth Worker (Congregate Care) (2026-209-YPS)

WoodGreen Community Services•Toronto, ON

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Turning Point Youth Services (TPYS) is an accredited, non-profit agency serving youth (12 to 18 years of age) and their families in the east end of Toronto. Its mission is to empower youth to make positive change, offering a continuum of services focused on mental health, housing/sheltering, and youth justice. TPYS recently integrated with WoodGreen Community Services to provide more effective and integrated support services for youth in the GTA. The Redwood Program is a new youth justice, congregate care program. It is a 6-bed, gender-specific, structured, live-in program for young males (12 to 18 years of age) involved in the justice system and living with mental health challenges. The program's goal is to prevent and reduce youth involvement in the criminal justice system and support their reintegration into the community. Youth Workers provide direct, quality client care and supervision to program clients, offering client-focused and strength-based relationship-based interventions. The program is staffed by at least two Youth Workers at all times.

Requirements

University or College Degree/Diploma in Child and Youth Work, Social Work or equivalent
At least one year of relevant work experience, preferably in a live-in setting

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated knowledge and experience with at risk adolescents and young adults
Understanding of the complex issues facing our clients
Appreciation of the importance of engaging youth and families from a strengths-based relationship-based approach
Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group
Ability to exercise professionalism and sound judgement in conflictual and stressful situations
Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Ability to resolve issues with supervisors and co-workers in a manner that is respectful and cooperative in accordance with the agency culture and philosophy
Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
Strong administrative and organizational skills
Good computer skills
Valid First Aid/CPR certification
Valid UMAB certification
Completion of required suicide prevention and intervention training

Responsibilities

Promote a safe and therapeutic environment and establish therapeutic relationships with clients through role modeling consistent with the Agency Mission, Vision and Values.
Incorporate into your work a strengths-based relationship-based philosophy of care and a belief in the resilience of youth.
Provide direct, client care and supervision to clients in the live-in program.
Perform the duties of a Primary Worker for assigned clients.
Promote and integrate Youth and Family Engagement.
Promote an environment of inclusion that promotes equity and respects diversity.
Assess and understand client mental health needs through a developmental and trauma informed lens, offer and actualize methods of intervention not considered psychotherapy, in compliance with relevant legislation and the CRPO guidelines regarding the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy which identify, limit and control the means of psychotherapy techniques delivered through a therapeutic relationship.
Ensure that client records are maintained as per agency standards and in accordance with privacy policies and legislation.
Ensure that administrative duties are completed within required timeframes.
Effectively utilize communication systems to convey client and program related information.
Develop, implement, evaluate and fully participate in life skills and recreational programming, where necessary.
Maintain responsible oversight of agency finances and assets.
Maintain adequate upkeep of the physical plant and property (interior and exterior).
Assist with meal preparation as required.
Assume the role of Student Placement Supervisor as required (as assigned by the Supervisor based on skill and experience level).
Reconcile client medication for the program prior to supervisory signoff (as assigned by the Supervisor based on skill and experience level).
Liaise with other detention sites and the court system in order to support the level determination process of all youth in the Greater Toronto Area remanded to a detention facility by the courts (as applicable).
Perform other duties as required