Position: Support Worker High Risk Group Home
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia
Reports To: Supervisor, Program Manager
Position Summary
West Coast Care is committed to providing safe, therapeutic, and culturally responsive residential services for children and youth with complex behavioural, emotional, developmental, and mental health needs.
The Support Worker plays a vital role in creating a stable, nurturing, and structured home environment where youth feel safe, respected, and supported. Working within a multidisciplinary team, Support Workers assist youth in developing the life skills, emotional regulation, resilience, and independence necessary to achieve their individual goals and successfully transition into adulthood.
This position requires a compassionate, trauma-informed professional who is committed to relationship-based practice, cultural humility, and delivering high-quality care while maintaining the safety and well-being of all youth within the program.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Youth Care & Daily Living Support
- Provide consistent supervision, care, and support to youth residing within the program.
- Foster positive, trusting relationships built on respect, empathy, consistency, and accountability.
- Support youth with daily living activities including personal hygiene, meal preparation, medication administration, housekeeping, budgeting, laundry, transportation, and independent living skills.
- Encourage healthy routines, structure, responsibility, and age-appropriate independence.
- Promote physical, emotional, social, educational, and cultural development through meaningful daily interactions.
- Assist youth in achieving individualized goals outlined within care plans and treatment plans.
2. Therapeutic Programming
- Plan, organize, and participate in recreational, educational, cultural, and community-based activities.
- Facilitate structured programming that promotes confidence, emotional wellness, teamwork, communication, and life skills.
- Support participation in sports, fitness, hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, cooking, volunteering, employment readiness, community outings, and other skill-building opportunities.
- Encourage positive peer interactions while modelling healthy relationships and conflict resolution.
3. Behavioural Support & Crisis Intervention
- Implement individualized behaviour support plans, safety plans, and crisis intervention strategies.
- Utilize trauma-informed practices and approved de-escalation techniques to safely respond to behavioural escalations.
- Recognize behavioural triggers and intervene proactively to reduce risk.
- Maintain a calm, professional, and therapeutic approach during crisis situations.
- Ensure the safety of youth, staff, and visitors while following agency policies and provincial standards.
- Immediately notify leadership of significant behavioural incidents, AWOLs, medical emergencies, self-harm concerns, abuse disclosures, or other critical events.
- Participate in incident debriefings and contribute to ongoing behavioural planning.
4. Documentation & Case Management
- Complete daily shift summaries, communication logs, medication documentation, incident reports, behavioural observations, and required program documentation accurately and within required timelines.
- Maintain strict confidentiality while adhering to agency policies, licensing standards, and provincial legislation.
- Document youth progress, strengths, challenges, interventions, and significant events objectively and professionally.
- Support case planning by providing observations and recommendations to leadership and interdisciplinary teams.
5. Safety & Program Standards
- Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming residential environment.
- Conduct regular safety inspections and report hazards immediately.
- Ensure compliance with agency policies, licensing requirements, WorkSafeBC regulations, and emergency procedures.
- Participate in fire drills, emergency preparedness exercises, medication audits, and program inspections.
- Promote healthy boundaries, respect, diversity, inclusion, and cultural safety throughout the residence.
6. Collaboration & Communication
- Work collaboratively with other Support Workers, Supervisors, Program Managers, social workers, guardians, healthcare professionals, educators, Indigenous communities, and external service providers.
- Attend team meetings, supervision sessions, and mandatory training.
- Communicate professionally with colleagues while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.
- Support new staff through mentorship and positive role modelling when requested.
7. Professional Accountability
- Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical practice, and accountability in all aspects of employment.
- Maintain current certifications and complete mandatory annual training.
- Participate in ongoing professional development related to trauma-informed care, child and youth care, mental health, Indigenous cultural safety, crisis intervention, and behaviour support.
- Maintain professional boundaries while acting in the best interests of youth served by West Coast Care.
Minimum QualificationsRequired
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Experience working with children, youth, or vulnerable populations in residential care, group homes, mental health, social services, or community support.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong computer skills and experience completing electronic documentation.
- Ability to work rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, overnight shifts, and statutory holidays.
Preferred
- Diploma or Degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Criminology, Disability Studies, or a related discipline.
- Experience supporting youth with complex mental health and behavioural needs.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, harm reduction, positive behaviour support, and Indigenous cultural safety.
Employment Requirements
- Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening.
- Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Clearance (if applicable).
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver's Licence with an acceptable Driver's Abstract.
- Valid First Aid & CPR Level C.
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), CPI, or equivalent (preferred).
- FoodSafe Level 1 (preferred).
- Trauma-Informed Care training (preferred).
- Suicide Prevention or ASIST certification (preferred).
Work Environment
This position operates within a residential care setting supporting children and youth with complex behavioural, emotional, developmental, and mental health needs. Support Workers must be prepared to respond effectively to high-stress situations while maintaining professionalism, sound judgment, and a therapeutic approach.
The role requires adaptability, resilience, strong teamwork, and the ability to safely manage behavioural crises while fostering a supportive, respectful, and inclusive living environment.
West Coast Care is committed to providing an inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes cultural safety, and supports the professional growth of all employees.
Pay: $18.30-$25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
