Respite Worker
Overview
Department: SAAAC Autism Center
Location: Toronto
Job Type & Duration: Full Time, Contract 18-Months
Hours: 37.5 hours/week
Salary: $50,000
Publish Date: April 2026
About SAAAC Autism Centre
The SAAAC Autism Centre is a Toronto based charity whose mission is to make autism services equitable for all Canadians. The Centre provides culturally responsive autism services targeting culturally and linguistically diverse families. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, our Centre offers a dynamic range of services that support the development of individuals on the autism spectrum at all life stages, along with their caregivers.
Your Role on Our Team
Reporting to the manager and director, the Urgent Response Services (URS) at the SAAAC Autism Centre, in partnership with the Toronto Autism Services Network, is seeking a Respite Worker to work with clients within the framework of a URS team to deliver immediate respite support for up to 12 weeks.
The incumbent will provide planned and specific services to children and youth up to 18 years old with significant and immediate needs who are registered in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). Respite activities will take place in the home, community, the Centre and planned locations.
Main Responsibilities
- Provide direct 1:1 supervision of the client as defined and determined by the clinical team as well as the family, depending on the needs and goals for the client and the family unit.
- Establish and maintain current, accurate, and confidential files for each client which may include data collection, visual materials, progress notes, incident reports and other specific reports pertaining to the case.
- Maintain administrative tasks such as session hours.
- Participate in any assessment activities as needed based on clinical recommendations.
- Provide crisis intervention with an emphasis on preventative measures which may include verbal and/or physical de-escalation techniques.
- Collaboratively design a respite plan.
- Program plan to include visual creation, scheduling, and activities.
- Follow and model components of a behavior management plan to ensure safety within various settings.
- Immediately communicate concerns or issues pertaining to the behavior management plan with the URS team
- Demonstrate sensitivity to client needs through a strength-based approach as well as cultural sensitivity.
- Maintain regular contact with URS team with updates and progress.
- Follow all SAAAC health and safety protocols, professional standards, and legislative requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completed a diploma or degree in either Child and Youth Worker, Developmental Service Worker, Behavior Sciences, Support Worker, Recreation, or a related discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- 1-year direct experience working with children/youth in respite programs or a similar role
- 1 year lived/working experience.
- Valid First Aid Certification, Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check required.
- Crisis Intervention training (SMG, CPI, NVCI or TCI), and ASIST required.
- Knowledge and understanding of autism spectrum disorder, dual diagnosis, and Applied Behavior Analysis
- Knowledge of child developmental milestones
- An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities within the context of social decision-making when working with clients and their families
- An understanding of how diversity, equity and inclusion play a role within the workplace and community.
- Excellence in problem solving techniques, judgment skills and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as effectively on an interdisciplinary team.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Knowledge of Boardmaker, and proficient in Microsoft programs (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Must be vaccinated against COIVD-19 (3 doses) or have received an exemption from the organizations policy.
- Second language is an asset.
Working Conditions
- Ability to wear a face mask for more than an hour.
- Ability to lift, bend and move up and down to a child’s height or location (e.g., the floor)
- Ability to confidently support challenging/aggressive behaviors.
- Able to work evenings and weekends.
- Ability to drive with a valid driver’s license and vehicle to commute to client homes.
The SAAAC Autism Centre welcomes and encourages applications from individuals with disabilities. We are committed to providing accommodations upon request to candidates participating in all stages of the selection process. If you require accommodation, please contact Sandrine Theva at
[email protected].
Please Note: SAAAC Autism Centre may use AI-powered tools to assist in the initial screening of applications. These tools are designed to evaluate qualifications based on the requirements outlined in the job posting. We encourage all candidates to carefully review the qualifications and ensure their resumes reflect their relevant skills and experiences.
