Child and youth workers are specialists in facilitating change in children and youths who are experiencing a broad range of social, emotional, or behavioural challenges in their lives. Children and youths respond to the impact of change, stress, loss, poverty, violence, abuse and neglect with a range of emotions and behaviours including confusion, anger, withdrawal, aggression, hopelessness, violence and suicide. Additionally, increasing numbers of these youths are young offenders who are in custody and/or receiving some therapeutic intervention.

Child and youth workers are a valuable resource to children, youths, and their families and specifically commit themselves to understanding and interacting in therapeutic relationships to promote and facilitate positive change. Child and youth workers advocate for and guide children and youths through their daily lives, teach social and life skills, support efforts to manage behaviour, and engage in counseling to facilitate better understanding and change. Child and youth workers are specific helping resources for and within families and communities. They assist and work with other professionals to promote individual and systemic change.

Employment opportunities for child and youth workers are diverse. Upon graduation, CYW’s may find employment in public and private agencies and institutions including family homes, schools, and community-based services, residential and custody settings. Job responsibilities may cover direct supervision, behaviour management, teaching life skills and social skills, child protection, child advocacy, family and community reintegration, recreation facilitation, etc.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, M, U) (Minimum 60% GPA required.)
Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets), web search engines and e-mail systems. Students may assess whether or not they meet the computer proficiency expectations for this program by taking the free online assessment at www.northernc.on.ca/admissions/tool.html.

Or equivalent.

Or mature student status (an applicant who does not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program). Mature students must undergo academic testing prior to admission into a program and demonstrate equivalency with the admission requirements for English. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details.

Note: Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading. Refer to the Post-Secondary Preparation section in this calendar for more details.

Other Requirements for Admission to Field Work Placement

• Physician’s medical report as per guide supplied by the College
• Proof of current immunization*, including Hepatitis B; 2-step Mantoux (with follow-up chest x-ray if the Mantoux test is positive), measles, rubella, DPT.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate (C.P.R. - Level C).
• Standard First Aid Certificate (or equivalent)
• WHMIS Certificate (may be obtained at a minimal cost through the College)
• A recent criminal reference check – Ontario Education Services Corporation (OESC) - (within 3 months) is required in the second year of the program prior to the start of classes in September.***

* Note: Students who do not comply with the immunization requirements may not be allowed into the field work settings and as such may not be able to complete the placements required for graduation from the program.

**Note: CPR re-certification, criminal reference checks and immunization updates are required annually. Students will not be allowed on placement if documentation is not completed.

***Note: To be eligible for participation in field work practice, students must not have been convicted of any criminal offence for which that person has not been pardoned. An unpardoned criminal record will result in inability to participate in fieldwork practice courses and will prevent the student from graduating.

Note: Any costs for these tests/certifications will be the responsibility of the applicant.

It is important to note that this program requires a field work component. While the intent is for placements to be arranged in the student’s own community, when this is not possible, alternate communities will need to be considered. Students are responsible for the costs of travel to and from field work placement sites, parking costs, etc. A dress code is in effect during all lab practice sessions and during the field work component of the programs. All theory and lab course work must be successfully completed prior to field work placements.

A passing grade of 60% is required for all Human Services core courses and electives. To succeed in this program, students must be highly motivated, highly committed and physically and mentally fit.

Program of Studies

Semester I
AA1083 Introduction to Research
CM1913 Communications I – Module B
CY1002 Activity Programming
SW3023 Interviewing Skills
CY2024 CYW Methodology I
HS1022 Community Service 1st Yr Orientations (6 weeks)
NA1403 Social Work and First Nations Peoples
PS1053 Introduction to Social Psychology
PS1163 Development Psychology

Semester II
AA3004 Pharmacology Theory & Lab
CM2913 Communications II – Module B
CY2013 CYW Methodology II (formerly Supportive Milieu Programming)
CY3018 Activity Lab I
CY3033 CYW Reflexive Practice I
SW2063 Intro to Children Resources
CY1003 Ethics and Current Issues in CYW

Semester III
CM3033 Report Writing
SW3003 Group Processes
CY3001 Fieldwork Placement (3 days/week)
CY3011 Fieldwork Seminar (1 day/month)
EC4024 Children with Exceptionalities
SW3003 Group Processes
SW3033 Fundamental Family Concepts

Semester IV
CY4053 Principles of Treatment
CY4001 Fieldwork Placement (3 days/week)
CY4021 Fieldwork Seminar (1 day/month)
PS4003 Child & Adolescent Psychopathology
SW2023 Conflict Resolution/Mediation
SW2033 Crisis Intervention

For program information:
Joanne Hagger-Perritt
Program Coordinator
705-235-3211 ext. 2284
perrittj@northern.on.ca