JOB OPPORTUNITY - Team Lead, Child & Youth Counsellor, Live-In Treatment Program - Full-Time Permanent
Position Summary
The Team Lead is a Child and Youth Counsellor in an inpatient clinical unit or Live in Treatment (LIT) centre that facilitates the smooth daily operational functioning of the program. The Team Lead collaborates with the program’s inter-professional team and the Manager/Supervisor to provide effective coordination of client-centered treatment, which is consistent with Youthdale’s strategic directions. This position is part of the Bargaining Unit.
Location: 592 Huron street, Toronto, ON M5R 2R7
Hours: 40 hours per week
Status: Full-time Permanent
Union/Non: This is a unionized position
Rate of pay: $33.86 per hour
This posting is for a new position within our organization.
*Overnight responsibilities will be compensated financially on the basis of a set fee. Overnight time is in addition to the regular working time stated above*
Accountability
This position reports directly to: Live-in Treatment Manager or Clinical Operations Manager
Supervises: Child and Youth Work student
Works collaboratively with the inter-professional team, clients, families/guardians, and community resources
Corporate Responsibilities
- Fosters positive interpersonal relationships with the staff, clients and visitors, outside agencies, government officials and related professional associations.
- Maintains and adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
- Maintains and adheres to all relevant legislation.
- Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
- Works safely in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Agency Health and Safety Manual.
- Demonstrates clinical practices, which are consistent with the mission, vision and philosophy of Youthdale Treatment Centres.
The Team Lead primary responsibilities include:
Client Care and Treatment
- Assume responsibility for the communication, liaison and coordination of client admissions, discharges, transfers and appointments during the assigned shifts and for future shifts as appropriate
- Lead the management of the program milieu, considering the preferences, needs, and safety of clients and staff
- Ensure the familiarity of client, families, and visitors with the program
- Facilitate service delivery, ensuring a high standard of quality and safety
- Assesses and understands client mental health needs through a trauma informed lens and formulates methods of intervention in collaboration with the team.
- Implements specific treatment interventions as indicated in the client’s individual treatment program including: individual counseling and group therapy; recognizing the stages of behavioral escalation and responding in a clinically appropriate manner to deescalate the behavior; developing strategies to reduce the clients concerning behaviors, and supporting academic/vocational activities.
- Carries out the structure and routine of the program and ensure all clients receive a high standard of care and therapeutic intervention.
- Facilitates debriefing with clients following crisis/physical intervention
- Following successful completion of the Medication Training Program, administers regular scheduled medications and treatments, as prescribed by a physician or Nurse Practioner, and in accordance with the Youthdale’s Medication Procedure.
- Provision of individual care as per the treatment plan, developing and supporting their engagement in programs
- Booking health care appointments, clothing and personal needs inventories
- Supporting the client’s preparations for transition and discharge as per the agreed plan including connecting with community resources, completion of discharge documentation
- Ensuring safety requirements are met including Emergency drills, night safety checks, noting and reporting structural and/or equipment, maintenance, cleanliness issues; removing any immediate hazards
- Ensuring evidence and data including Greenspace assessments, client and caregiver satisfaction surveys and any other required statistics are collected and documented as per policies and procedures
- Carry a client assignment, with a fluctuating caseload as dependent on the program milieu, census and staffing complement
- Develops, evaluates and ensures evidence based programming, life skills and recreational activities are being programmed.
- Ensure evidenced based programming and recreational activities are being delivered
- Ensure client menus meet agency standards.
Scheduling and Staffing
- Utilize and facilitate the effective and efficient use of resources in a client-centered approach in collaboration with the team and others
- Ensure that the assignment is clear and reflects the principles of accountability for care – i.e. each client at all times must have an assigned CYC
- Ensure that client assignments are accurate and properly recorded as per established processes e.g. assignment sheets are posted and stored in a designated location following the shift
- Coordinate and assign breaks, break coverage, close observations and client appointments/activities off the program for relevant staff
- Apprise others of sick calls and follow procedures to fill gaps
Orientation and Education
- Link new staff, including agency staff with appropriate program resources and facilitate orientation to the program, ensuring they become familiar with all procedures/processes
- Provide training around policies and documentation standards when needed to staff
- Coordinate unit rounds and case conferences as appropriate or applicable
Communications and Reporting
- Liaise with Manager/Supervisor regarding client/care and staffing issues; i.e. needs for continuous observation, room searches, transfers, etc
- Communicates with the RN or RPN throughout the shift regarding client’s requiring medical care, and updates the RN/RPN regarding community outings, home visits, etc (ASU/TAU).
- Contacts on-call Management and/or Psychiatrist (units) to provide updates on any significant incidents that have occurred while on shift, or external emergency services.
- Coordinate shift exchange report and is Responsible at shift change for communicating verbally as well as in the written log any significant and pertinent information regarding each client.
- Assign care and/or duties to relevant staff based on client’s care needs; i.e. pre-assign staff to respond to codes white, medication checks, etc.
- Ensure client records and all documentation are up to date and in compliance with policies and legislative requirements
- Ensures Serous Occurrence Repots and Incident Reports are complete and submitted in time
- Ensures Plan of Care and Clinical Meetings are scheduled and reports are completed appropriately as well as, facilitate communication within the program and between the program and other service areas.
- Reports and documents any matters relating to maintenance needs or environmental issues/cleanliness of program.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- College diploma or university degree in child and youth work or relevant field is required
- Minimum one-year experience in a live-in program or inpatient setting.
- Experience working with children or youth in a mental health setting is preferred.
- Experience working with diverse communities.
Skills/Ability/Knowledge
- Understanding of the complex issues facing children, youth and families.
- Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group.
- You have knowledge of evidence-based practices for children and adolescents with mental health problems, including behavioural modification strategies, learning theories, counselling skills, crisis prevention and management and legislative requirements.
- Able to safely and effectively manage behavioural crisis situations and respond in a trauma-informed approach.
- Requires a working knowledge of professional, community and facility resources available to assist the child/family.
- Strong administrative and organizational skills.
- First Aid/CPR certification required upon hiring.
- Completion of SMG training required upon hiring.
- Skills in Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention.
- Excellent communication (written and oral), listening and interpersonal skills.
- Good understanding of the rights and responsibilities of children in residence; admission requirements; and Live-In licensing requirements
- Ability to manage many tasks simultaneously; ability to prioritize needs and risks on a minute-by-minute basis while on shift
- Flexible and creative negotiation skills in solving problems
13. Crisis Prevention and Management Skills
- demonstrates knowledge of a range of crisis prevention and intervention approaches
- Utilizes SMG techniques appropriately
14. Knowledge of Clinical Issues and Best Treatment Practices
- Demonstrates understanding of the dynamics and impact of trauma, child abuse, loss and grief, substance abuse, chronic learning problems, attachment difficulties, and other issues, and their treatment implications
- Demonstrates knowledge about the primary psychotropic medications.
ABOUT YOUTHDALE TREATMENT CENTRES
Youthdale (https://www.youthdale.ca (https://www.youthdale.ca)) provides comprehensive, integrated mental health services to children and their families, connecting them with the right programs and services, both at Youthdale and in their communities. We meet the complex needs of children and youth with a team of highly skilled and dedicated psychiatrists, psychologists, neurologists and neuropsychologists, social workers, nurses, and child and youth workers. To know more about us and the amazing work that our team does, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@youthdale-ca (https://www.youtube.com/@youthdale-ca).
APPLICATION
At Youthdale, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve. Youthdale is committed to providing accommodation in all parts of the hiring process. If you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.
Please apply with an updated resume by June 18, 2026.
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