Advantages and Disadvantages of being a CYW

Advantages

• A CYW gets to be physically involved with the outside world
• A CYW gets to help others and make a difference in other peoples lives
• Being a CYW you are not always stuck in a desk type job.

Disadvantages

• You aren't always able to help everyone the way you hoped.
• Long hours involved
• Frustrations regarding the law against abuse, incest, rape, etc., and the reality in the fact you can't win them all

Personal characteristics for CYW

Idealism: a firm hopefulness and faith in the power to make positive change in human life.

Pragmatism: a realistic practicality in the use of means, a willingness to experiment in the service of a burning desire to be effective.

Intelligence: Intuitive intelligence, a high degree of self-knowledge and the knowledge of how to use self in the helping task.

Empathy: an enormous capacity for caring deeply about those in need.

Commitment: the application of self, often with amazing stamina, to the problem of effecting change in disturbed human beings.

Courage: the willingness and ability to engage with always stressful, usually challenging, and sometimes dangerous young people

Occupational Outlook

In Ontario, the outlook for community and social service workers is expected to be good for the period 2012-2013. It is a large, young occupation, with many opportunities occurring as workers leave for other jobs or advancement.
Employment prospects will be better for individuals with post-secondary education, and previous work experience in social service work or as a volunteer.

                             Possible employers for Child youth working

1.  Child and youth worker (Live in Foster parent)

Brampton (ON)

Salary:

Monthly: min. $1800 max. $2400

Job Number:

6737110

Terms of Employment:

Permanent

Full-Time

Source:

 Job Bank

Anticipated Start Date:

As soon as possible

Number of positions:

2

Employer

Employer:

TLK Residential Services

Web Site:

http://www.tlkhomes.com

Job requirements

Education

Completion of college/CEGEP/vocational or technical training

.

Credentials (certificates, licences, memberships, courses, etc.)

Child and Youth Care Worker (CCW/CYW) Diploma; Social Service Worker (SSW) Diploma; Community Support Worker (CSW) Diploma; Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Certificate; Pharmacology Certificate; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate; First Aid Certificate

.

Experience

2 years to less than 3 years

2 .Intellectual disabilities worker (SUPPORT ASSISTANT - PART TIME)

Mississauga (ON)

Salary:

Hourly: min. $17.25

Job Number:

6725347

Terms of Employment:

Permanent

Part-Time

Source:

 Job Bank

Anticipated Start Date:

As soon as possible

Number of positions:

5

Employer

Employer:

COMMUNITY LIVING MISSISSAUGA

Web Site:

http://www.clmiss.ca

Job requirements

Education

Completion of high school; Completion of college/CEGEP/vocational or technical training; Completion of university

.

Credentials (certificates, licences, memberships, courses, etc.)

Child and Youth Care Worker (CCW/CYW) Diploma; Social Service Worker (SSW) Diploma; Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Certificate; Medication Administration Certificate; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate; First Aid Certificate

.

Experience

1 year to less than 2 years

Job Description

A Child and Youth Worker is a mental health professional who is part of a team that serves children, adolescents and their families. They develop meaningful relationships because of the ongoing intimate contact and, are present to provide support and counselling when the client needs it. They also help manage inappropriate or destructive behaviour, including verbal aggression. If necessary, they may be physically involved in controlling their client's behaviour. Additionally, they are the source for appropriate role modelling, general supervision and management of behaviour and counselling. Types of relationships that are demanded of the Child Youth Worker are ones that challenge the individual emotionally, mentally and physically.  Self-awareness and emotional maturity are must have characteristics of a Child and Youth Worker. While the Child Youth Worker is trained to work in a variety of community agencies, they are expected to share a common set of values which includes a commitment to the rights of children and families.

                                          5 Duties of a Child And Youth Worker

•  Get involved in community youth programs, recreational programs,early intervention programs, family support or foster care programs, or school based programs.

• 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 individuals and families identify personal strengths and resources for positive change

• Help develop and implement individual and group treatment programs

Educational Requirments

• Child Youth Workers need a high school diploma along with completion of a 3 year community college or university program in child and youth care

•   Child Youth Workers need experience working with children either as a volunteer or in a summer or part-time job

• Other useful skills include first aid and CPR training.

The School of Child and Youth Care 

Ryerson is the only university in Ontario offering a degree in Child and Youth Care. Ryerson offers classes that are small and interactive, led by accessible and experienced instructors. This means that students can focus on building their ability to mentor and support troubled children and youth.

Ryerson includes a 4 year program.

Child and Youth Worker salary

A Child Youth Worker gets paid an average of $24.04

The entry level of working as a child youth worker pays usually a minimum of $15 an hour . If working at the senior level the pay is $32.95.

In Ontario a child youth worker makes 33,000 a year

As of Nov 26, 2012

Average Child and Youth Worker salaries for job postings in Ontario, CA are 9% lower than average Child and Youth Worker salaries for job postings nationwide.