Child and Youth Care CYW

Holland Code: S (Social)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.

Arts & Literacy Grade 12 English is required. Need to be able to comprehend; follow guidelines and write well; research skills helpful; know how to reference. High school courses in Raising Healthy Children, Working with Infants and Young Children, Challenge and Change in Society, Families in Canada, and/or Human Development throughout the Lifespan would be beneficial preparation for this program.

Math & Science Math is needed as it relates to budgeting, measurement of medications, problem solving, helping children and youth manage allowance, shopping for supplies for an agency, general book keeping, petty cash transactions, project finances and fundraising. Psychology and biology are helpful to help one understand research as it relates to understanding mental illness.

Technology Computer skills required (Microsoft Office, Internet, checking student web portal daily).

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• The desire, ability and maturity required to engage in intense therapeutic relationships with children, youth and families
• Want to “make a difference” in the lives of children and youth
• Open minded view towards others with a respect for diversity
• Able to empathize with others
• Outgoing, positive, assertive and confident
• Able to handle stress
• Determined, passionate, and motivated
• Able to handle difficult information about children
• Able to make decisions and problem solve quickly and confidently
• Able to deal with uncertainty and changing situations
• Enjoy working on teams
• Comfortable resolving conflict
• Know how to utilize resources to help manage personal emotional health
• Ability to prioritize
• Able to establish and maintain professional boundaries
• Employ self-reflection and utilize feedback for growth

Useful background experience for this program would be

To have volunteered with children; or experience as a camp counsellor or leader-in-training; or worked at a children’s organization and/or social service agency; or coached and/or participated in sports; or have had a cooperative placement in high school that focused on a children’s mental health setting, child care, respite care.

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Child and Youth Worker, Child and Youth Counsellor, or Child and Youth Care Practitioner.

Places you may find yourself employed include 

Children and youth services centres; school boards; Children’s Aid Society; women’s shelters; hospitals; children’s mental health facilities; community resource centres; correctional services; at risk street work; or residential treatment centres.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Intensive interactions with children and youth which can be emotionally demanding; self-care practices are essential
• Direct contact with children/youth/young persons and families
• Shift work
• Work is physically demanding and may include running, bending, and lifting
• Child & Youth Care workers will utilize calming and diffusing techniques to manage aggressive behaviours and may be required to use physical restraint interventions in situations involving clear and imminent risk

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Understand, support and maintain therapeutic relationships with children and youth who are responding to the impact of change, stress, loss, poverty, violence, abuse and/or neglect with a range of emotions and behaviours
• Foster and utilize therapeutic environments which respect culture and promote overall well-being and positive change for children, youth and their families
• Design and implement strategies to promote psycho-social development
• Perform on going self-assessment and self-care to enhance competence
• Establish trusting and meaningful one-to-one relationships with children, youth and families
• Implement strategies such as planned daily activities, coordinated treatment interventions, structured environments, and organized recreational and social activities
• Help develop and implement individual and group treatment programs
• Respond effectively to acts of aggression and depressive, destructive or self-injurious behaviours
• Act as a resource for individuals and their families
• Engage in behaviour management, safety and security programming for young people in residential centres
• Support children/youth through the use of assistive technology
• Accommodate/modify therapeutic material and/or curriculum for diverse learners
• Complete written documentation

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

• Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviour certificate
• The International Child & Youth Care Network
• Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Opportunities for further development

• Graduates may apply for advanced entrance into  the Fanshawe College Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
• Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate certificates in Autism and Behavioural Science or Early Childhood Administration.
• Graduates may transfer some credit earned in this program towards a university degree. Multiple articulation agreements are available.

Last Modified: June 1, 2022