Youth Support Worker

About the Role

The Youth Support Worker at Bearspaw Lodge provides direct, trauma-informed residential support to justice-involved male youth managing complex mental health presentations — including schizophrenia, severe anxiety and mood disorders, and complex behavioural needs — alongside substance use and high-risk behaviours. This role requires steady, skilled de-escalation, close coordination with the youth justice and child intervention systems, and a genuine commitment to helping each young person build stability, safety, and accountability.

August 17, 2026

• Has a strong background supporting youth with mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, severe anxiety, mood disorders, and complex behavioural presentations
• Has experience supporting youth who struggle with addictions and engage in risky or unsafe activities
• Is skilled and confident in de-escalating high emotional and behavioural episodes
• Has experience working with or alongside the juvenile judicial court system
• Is comfortable supporting youth to attend appointments with psychologists, pediatricians, and family visits
• Is well-versed in and understands Indigenous culture, history, and traditions
• Communicates clearly and professionally with families, caseworkers, and interdisciplinary teams
• Thrives in a collaborative, team-based residential setting
• Is reliable, flexible, and available across a rotating part-time schedule

• Provide direct, trauma-informed care and supervision to youth with complex mental health, behavioural, and substance use needs
• Implement individualized support plans, behavioural strategies, and therapeutic interventions in collaboration with the clinical team
• Support daily living activities including personal care, meal preparation, medication administration (as trained), and household routines
• Recognize early warning signs of escalation and apply trauma-informed de-escalation strategies during high emotional episodes
• Support youth safely through crises related to mental health symptoms, substance use, or risky behaviour
• Model and encourage positive coping strategies, self-regulation, and independence

• Support and accompany youth to appointments with psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and other medical or mental health providers
• Support youth in attending and preparing for family visits
• Liaise professionally with the juvenile judicial court system, probation officers, and legal representatives as required
• Liaise with caseworkers, DFNA representatives, school staff, and other community partners

• Build and maintain respectful, collaborative relationships with families and natural supports
• Advocate for each youth's participation in school, community programs, and cultural activities
• Support youth in accessing and navigating mental health and addictions services

• Complete accurate and timely documentation including daily logs, incident reports, and progress notes
• Document Critical Incident Reports (CIRs) in accordance with BSR policy
• Participate in staff meetings, circle of care meetings, case conferences, and professional development trainings
• Communicate shift handover information clearly and thoroughly

• Support and honour the cultural identity of Indigenous youth in the program
• Participate in culturally relevant activities, ceremonies, and community events as appropriate
• Engage with cultural programming developed in partnership with DFNA bands and families

• Certificate or Diploma in Child & Youth Care, Disability Studies, Psychology, Social Work, Community Support Worker, or other Human Services post-secondary education

• Minimum 2 years of experience working with youth in a group care / youth care facility setting
• Demonstrated experience supporting youth with mental health disorders including schizophrenia, severe anxiety, and mood disorders
• Demonstrated experience supporting youth who struggle with addictions and engage in risky activities
• Demonstrated experience…