Therapeutic Respite Worker - Specialized Services

The Role

The Therapeutic Respite Worker provides goal-focused, therapeutic respite support to children and youth (0-18) with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental needs. Services are delivered in homes and community settings and are designed to strengthen skills, support families, and prevent family breakdown or out-of-home placements.

• Direct support: Deliver 1:1 and group-based respite sessions using structured, meaningful activities that support social skills, emotion regulation, coping, and life skills
• Plan implementation: Follow and implement treatment, safety, and behaviour plans; use positive behaviour supports and sound judgment in-home and in the community
• Family support: Communicate with caregivers, model strategies, provide in-the-moment feedback, and respond to family needs in a strengths-based way
• Documentation & admin: Complete contact notes within 24 hours, incident reports as needed, and other required administrative tasks (e.g., payroll/mileage, EMHware entries as assigned)
• Collaboration & safety: Participate in team communication/debriefing, collaborate with partners as required (with consent), and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment
• Transportation: Provide transportation for sessions and group programming as required

• Diploma or enrolment in Child & Youth Worker, Social Service Worker, Developmental Support Worker, Autism & Behavioural Science, or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years' experience working with children and youth with mental health or behavioural needs
• Strong communication, judgment, and ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Valid driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle
• Current First Aid & CPR
• Police Vulnerable Sector Check required (renewed every 3 years, with annual offence declarations, per legislation)

• NVCI, ASIST, DBT, CBT, or ABA experience
• Second language proficiency

• Flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends
• Work is performed in client homes and community settings
• This role requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week; shifts will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with the possibility of additional hours/days.