Child and Family Therapist – Live-In Treatment

ABOUT US
York Hills is a children and youth mental health agency that offers a wide range of mental health services, supports and partnerships providing meaningful and evidence informed/based treatment to children, and youth, aged 0 to 18 years, and their families.

To learn more about us, including our mission, vision and values please visit our website https://www.yorkhills.ca

BENEFITS
• Full extended health and dental, life insurance, EAP, LTD and RRSP plan.
• Generous paid time-off includes vacation, sick and personal days.
• Commitment to employee development through internal and external training and development opportunities.

ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Manager of Clinical Services, the Child and Family Therapist (CFT) is an integral part of the Live-in Treatment Program, providing counselling to a diverse population of children, youth, and families/caregivers. The primary focus of this role will be to address a range of mental health needs, both emotional and behavioural, and identify social-emotional symptoms that may challenge a client’s ability to function at home, school and in social settings. The CFT will work within a multi-disciplinary team to determine intervention strategies and assessments to benefit the overall wellbeing of the client, including providing consultation, education to community partners and case management. The Child and Family Therapist will collaborate with a team that consists of the Quality Assurance Coordinator, Program Coordinators, various staff and departments to sustain the Quality Standards Framework, including ensuring all related and mandatory documentation is completed in accordance with licensing requirements and internal policies and procedures.

Employment Status: Permanent Full-Time
Salary Range: $69,514 to $73,746
Location: 402 Bloomington Road, Aurora; this position will require travel within York Region.
Hours of Work: Thirty-five (35) hours per week, including evening and weekend work.

A LOOK AT YOUR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide clinical support to the daily functioning of two (2) Live-in Treatment Programs structured as follows; one 7-bed program for children aged 10 to14 and a 3-bed program for children and youth aged 7 to 18.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective communication pertaining to client treatment plan development, progress and integration.
• Develop positive rapport with the Live-in Treatment team and clients in the program to create psychological safety, trust and foster a milieu therapeutic environment, through relationship-building activities and observation of the client’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Work closely with community partners such as schools, healthcare providers, Children’s Aid Societies, and the Ministry of Community and Social Services representative around standards of care, licensing requirements and utilization of beds in the region.
• Manage a full case load of files for clients using agency-endorsed therapy models, such as Attachment Theory, Neurobiology, Trauma, Child Development and Family Systems Theory, including family therapy and milieu therapy.
• Ensure the use of evidence-based and evidence-informed treatments to maintain fidelity in practicing with clients and families/caregivers.
• Employ a multi-disciplinary assessment process for Live-in Treatment Program clients, including obtaining full cycle feedback from clients, families/caregivers and program team members.
• Create thorough and well-formulated assessment reports and treatment plans for clients and families that reflect the consensus of the treatment team and the contracted goals and service plans in a timely manner.
• Provide oversight into the implementation of all administrative components of the client’s clinical file assessments, safety plans and plan of care reports.
• Arrange regular meetings that review and plan for clients and families/caregivers, including the treatment team, ensuring additional meetings and plan of care meetings occur within timelines outlined by the Quality Standards Framework.
• Provide interim support for families/caregivers waiting to transition through education, consultation and referrals.
• Facilitate groups, webinars and workshops for live-in treatment clients, including the agency, as needed.
• Participate in regular team meetings to discuss administrative, clinical and learning concerns that impact the team and/or clients, including assisting staff in problem-solving and providing knowledge-based sharing of industry best practices.
• Supports the program assessment process to determine the eligibility for intensive programs and services in a timely manner, utilizing a client-focused and solution-focused approach.
• Support the Manager of Live-in Treatment and Manager of Clinical Services in the development, implementation and maintenance of program procedures and guidelines that meet the highest standards of practice.
• Work collaboratively with child welfare partners and other referral sources to ensure clear communication, collaboration, and integrated planning around children and youth.
• Assist in the implementation of quality assurance and evaluation processes that involve monitoring, collection, and recording of clinical and service data, including submitting data in a timely manner and in accordance with internal policies and procedures.
• Ensures compliance with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ministry of Children and Youth Services residential licensing standards and the quality standards framework.
• Maintain a system of documentation and reporting that is consistent with quality assurance standards and procedures, legislation, accreditation and best practices.
• Actively participates in licensing and accreditation processes, including annual Ministry licensing review and renewal.
• Attend and participate in required training and meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
• Completion of a post-secondary or post-graduate degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling and/or a combination of education and experience.
• Membership in a relevant professional regulatory body such as the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, College of Psychologist and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario etc.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working in children, youth and families mental health milieu setting.
• Eligible and experienced in performing psychotherapy as defined under the Act of Psychotherapy, including utilizing various clinical modalities and evidence-based practices.
• A willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekend work.
• Competence in modelling professionalism and maintaining a high level of confidentiality
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including editing skills with attention to detail.
• Knowledge of child and youth development, family systems and neurobiology, including community and agency programs and services to support the transition of age youth and adults.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based and evidence-informed treatment modalities, including but not limited to; Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Emotion Focused Skill Training, Emotion Focused Family Therapy, Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Based Therapy.
• Experience working with youth living with depression, anxiety, strained social relationships, eating disorders, self-inflected behaviour, trauma, psychiatric diagnoses, learning disabilities and difficult family dynamics.
• Employs emotional intelligence to manage and co-regulate self and client during intensive situations.
• Demonstrate sound judgement related to the development of collaborative approaches working with children, youth and their families, including high-risk circumstances and safety planning.
• Experience utilizing suicide risk assessments and intervention skills.
• Demonstrates versatility in the ability to work independently and collaboratively to support agency and program goals.
• Excellent organizational, solution-based problem-solving and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience facilitating groups, webinars and workshops utilizing evidence-based practices.
• Functional technological skills (e.g., Office 360, MS Office, SharePoint, software applications).
• Awareness and appreciation for the dynamics of equity issues (diversity, equity and inclusion) especially as it relates to gender, ethnicity, race, and economic status.
• Identification with the strategic mission, vision and values of the organization including inclusion, collaboration, people centred, knowledgeable and courageous.
• Don’t check all the boxes? We encourage you to apply anyway!

NICE TO HAVES:
• Applicants with fluency in another language are encouraged to apply.
• Fluency in American Sign Language.
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Certificate.
• Mental Health First Aid certificate.

ON-BOARDING REQUIREMENTS:
• Police Broad Record Check (within the last 180 days).
• First Aid Certification (CPR/AED Level C).
• Valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a reliable motor vehicle.
• Completion of a Driver’s Abstract.
• Proof of automobile insurance.

HOW TO APPLY:
York Hills is strongly committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including applicants from all cultures, racialized communities, abilities, diverse sexual and gender identities and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

York Hills is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace. We believe in cultivating a selection process and employment environment without discrimination or harassment, that is inclusive and barrier free.

York Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer and in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, should you require a code-protected accommodation, through any stage of the recruitment and selection process, please contact Human Resources.

We encourage you to reflect upon the diversity you would bring to this role within your application.

Please submit your cover letter and resume to our online portal (via the York Hills website) by April 21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.