1. Child and Youth Worker in Canada – Job Responsibilities
and Educational Prerequisites
Child and youth workers provide therapeutic interventions in a variety of contexts, to
promote self-efficacy, self-esteem, positive thinking, independence and psycho-social
development of children and youth. They possess specific yet vast knowledge that
encompasses physical health, mental health, emotional well being, group dynamics, and
counselling.
Child and youth care workers are associated with a variety of professional settings,
including shelters, educational institutions, hospitals, social agencies, youth justice
agencies, recreation programs, residential programs, crisis centres, young offender
programs and community-based programs. They develop therapeutic relationships with
troubled children and adolescents that promote their overall well being and facilitate in
feeling safe, connected and understood.
Child and Youth Care Education and Training
In order to work as a child and youth care worker in Canada, you need to have undergone
formal post-secondary education and training in this field. Once you successfully
complete this course, you can easily find employment with public or private firms
working towards growth and development of children and youth.
A post-secondary program in child and youth care typically runs for three years,
incorporating theoretical learning and industry field placements. You will learn the
principles, philosophies and practices of working developmentally, co-creating
relationships, handling developmental issues and understanding professional
boundaries.
Program Content
The program covers a wide range of subjects, including Introduction to Child and Youth
Work, Developmental Issues in Childhood and Adolescence, Child and Adolescent Mental
Health, Counselling and Communication Skills, Principles of Psychology, Group Dynamics:
Processes and Development, Multimodal Therapies in Child and Youth Work, Introduction to
Family, Advocacy and Law in Children’s Mental Health, Global Citizenship: From Social
Analysis to Social Action, Working with Traumatized Children and Youth, Child Abuse,
Evidence Based Programming, Crisis Theory and Interventions, and CYW Approach to
Working with Families.
The program aims to help you build strong theoretical foundation in child and youth care
work and learn how to design and implement strategies and employ effective interventions
that meet the goals and needs of children, youth and their families. You also learn to
communicate effectively in written, oral and nonverbal forms.
Choosing the Right College
Although a number of colleges in Canada offer three-year post-secondary child and youth
worker programs in Ontario but not all provide you with hands-on experience and
industry exposure, which is a necessary requirement to seek employment upon graduation.

2. Therefore, it’s important to conduct a thorough research before applying to a particular
course.
The CYW program at Centennial College Toronto may be the right choice for you. The
program incorporates industry field placements in all three years. Moreover, you develop a
diverse skill set that allows moment across various contexts and multiple roles in the field.
In addition to this, the college also provides you with a supplemental training in UMAB
(Understanding and Managing Aggressive Behaviour). You also develop a portfolio
documenting your engagement with the college’s signature global citizenship and equity
competencies. The program offers strong employment prospects to students.
Admission Requirements
In order to apply for this program, you will need:
• Secondary School Diploma Certificate or equivalent, or mature student status (19
years older)
• English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent, or else you may need to take the
college’s English Skills Assessment for Admission
For More Information Visit http://www1.centennialcollege.ca/