Child & Youth Advocate

Full-Time Permanent Employment

Location:

245 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto ON M4P 3B7

Reports To:

Manager of the Child & Youth Advocacy Program

Land Acknowledgement
Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC) is situated on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, who have been the traditional caretakers of this land for thousands of years. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land.

Subsequent Indigenous Nations and Peoples, Europeans and all newcomers have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work, and live in the community with each other.

Organizational Overview
Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC) is a registered charity that provides a range of services to children, youth and families, who have experienced abuse or violence, within the City of Toronto. We provide individual, group, family and community services that include trauma counselling, advocacy and support services during child abuse investigations, court support and accompaniment services and abuse and violence prevention materials and training.

Boost CYAC is accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation, an independent non-profit organization that offers accreditation specifically tailored to community-based health and social services across Canada.

Position Description
We are looking for a Child & Youth Advocate to provide support and advocacy to clients when they attend Boost CYAC for a child abuse investigation, as well as ongoing needs assessment, support and referrals. Staff will be expected to work a combination of day (9am - 5pm) and evening (12pm - 8pm) shifts on a weekly rotating schedule.

As part of the CYAP Team, the Advocate will receiving training on court preparation and accompaniment services and may be asked to provide back up court support for the Toronto and Peterborough Child Victim Witness Support Programs, as required.

This is not a clinical or therapy-based role; however, staff will need a strong understanding of crisis intervention and case management. The Advocate will collaborate with police, child protection agencies, counsellors, court support services and medical professionals to provide a holistic service to the children, youth and their supportive families who attend the CYAC. The Advocate must be comfortable working closely with onsite facility dogs.

Qualifications/

Skills:

A BSW or equivalent degree or diploma preferably in the field of social work, child & youth care social services, etc.

A minimum of three (3) years’ relevant work experience, preferably working directly with victims of violence, abuse and trauma.

Ability to meet the needs of a diverse client base, through knowledge of and application of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, anti-racist and cultural competency practices.

Demonstrated commitment to equity, anti-oppressive practice and culturally responsive service delivery, grounded in an understanding of how systemic barriers and social inequalities affect children, youth, and families.

Strong self-awareness, an ability to reflect on personal bias and privilege and experience providing culturally safe, trauma-informed support.

Understanding of the Child & Youth Advocacy Model and some experience collaborating with teams of multidisciplinary professionals (MDT) and community partners.

Awareness of the variety of different types of traumas (e.g., sexual, physical) and trauma-experiences (e.g., race and gender-based trauma) that may be experienced by children, youth and families.

Ability to respond to crisis situations, screen for suicidality or other high-risk concerns and develop safety plans. ASIST training is considered an asset.

Sound knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. Some knowledge of the judicial system and services available to victim/witnesses and their families.

The ability to…