School Liaison Worker

Who we are

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities’ most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families.

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

Who we need

Reporting to the Clinical Manager, Family Violence Services, we are hiring a School Liaison Worker on a contract basis until the end of the 23/24 school year. As our new School Liaison Worker, you will assume a pivotal role in supporting children experiencing homelessness due to trauma and gender-based violence within a school environment, addressing their psycho-social needs, and collaborating effectively with various stakeholders, including families, teachers, school personnel, and shelter staff.

Therapeutic interventions may involve working with individuals, groups of children, and families. You should be willing and able to travel to schools, partner shelters, and CDI locations, be available to work when school is open and be flexible to work varying hours during the day or evening to accommodate client needs. You will also be delivering activity-based groups at partner shelters around the city, collaborating with multidisciplinary staff.

Who you are

As a Child and Youth Worker, you are looking for a place to channel your commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and their families who have experienced trauma. You want to leverage the expertise of a long-historied organization that operates at the cutting edge of evidence-based treatment for children, youth, and their families, a place where you will be supported in professional development and work-life balance.

As our new School Liaison Worker, you will:

• Foster a safe space. You will help facilitate children’s integration into a classroom at the school, promote peer group acceptance, and work with family, school administration, teachers, and shelter staff to develop a school safety plan that meets the family’s needs.
• Administer psycho-social assessments. You will consult with classroom teachers and school officials regarding the psychosocial needs of the children and offer crisis intervention and support.
• Lead evidence-based and evidence-informed therapeutic activities. You will actively lead and participate in the assessment and treatment planning process with clients, monitoring progress toward goals and modifying the treatment plan as indicated.
• Offer and recommend support. You will liaise between the school and shelters and offer caregiving support or recommend referrals to appropriate community mental health treatment and support services.
• Manage case files. You will ensure that service, including intake, assessment, transition and discharge planning, is delivered in a coordinated and timely fashion.
• Complete reporting. You will comply with agency and accreditation standards, including report writing, treatment planning, participation in ongoing professional development and staff meetings. You will update information systems with accurate data and maintain agency records as required. This may include assessment reports, intervention plans, closing reports, pre/post measures, case notes, statistics and other documentation, as required by agency standards.

What you bring:

• The clinical knowledge. You have a certificate, diploma, or degree in Child and Youth Work and experience working with children, youth and families in a therapeutic or clinical setting. You have proven organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills ; you uphold the confidentiality and security of client-related and agency information. You can effectively prioritize work in an environment of competing demands with a multidisciplinary team.
• The practical experience. You bring hands-on experience working with children and youth facing mental health challenges. Whether in individual or group settings, you’re adept at engaging with individuals across various developmental levels and abilities. Your practice is informed by a deep understanding of anti-oppressive principles, which you skillfully apply in your interactions with children, youth, and families. Furthermore, your knowledge extends to the complexities of family violence and its profound impact on children and caregivers alike, including those navigating transitions.
• The communication skills. You have exceptional listening skills and mental attentiveness, able to focus on the needs of individuals, to probe, analyze, synthesize, and create true connections and engagement. You embrace the opportunity to work with groups from diverse backgrounds and experiences and can adapt your written and verbal communication style to ensure transparency, authenticity, and understanding.
• The flexibility. You are comfortable growing into your role and delivering one-on-one, group and family-based supportive sessions; you are flexible to work up to two evenings a week, meeting with clients.
• The integrity. You are a dedicated and supportive team player. You have high standards of accountability and prioritize professionalism and respect. You are open to feedback and coaching; and committed to providing the same to students and peers as requested.
• The utmost respect and love for children and youth. You can build genuine, trusting relationships with children, youth, young adult staff, and client families. You excel at coaching or training, providing constructive and positive feedback, supervising large and small groups, and evaluating individual and team performance.

Other requirements

• All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Credential verifications and references are required.
• As a condition of employment, you are required to provide updated COVID vaccinations in compliance with the CDI Mandatory Vaccination Policy.

Compensation: Please note that the annual salary is pro-rated based on the length of the contract. Presently, the annual salary for a School Liaison Worker stands at $54,765 until March 31, 2024. Subsequently, starting from April 1st, 2024, the annual salary will be adjusted to $$56,408. This is a unionized position under OPSEU.

Join us.

Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.

At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:

• Flexible hours in a planned program environment.
• A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.

If you want to be part of our vision to make a measurable lifelong impact on the mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families, join us.

Apply now

If you’re excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can’t promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application.

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role and background.
• An in-person interview with the Clinical Manager, Family Violence Services and an HR Representative, where you will have an opportunity to further expand on your knowledge and experience as well as ask questions.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at careers@childdevelop.ca