Child and youth workers work with troubled children and adolescents who face a variety of emotional, behavioural or physical problems. The problems can arise within the family, at school, as a result of drug and alcohol abuse or because of conflicts with the law. Child and youth workers use guidance and treatment programs to help young people deal with their problems.
As a child and youth worker, you might be employed in a psychiatric hospital, residential treatment centre, social agency concerned with youth services, school providing education for special needs children, private group home, detention and rehabilitation centre or a community outreach program. Some child and youth workers prefer to specialize and work only with a certain age group or specific types of problems.
You often work in a group to teach life skills, behaviour, social and coping skills. In an institutional setting, you eat meals with the kids, supervise chores, and even attend classes with them. You also plan and organize recreational activities, supervise homework and provide guidance and support. Through this structured environment, you can help to fill some of the psychological and physical needs of the young people you work with.
An important part of your routine involves recording daily observations and other reports as required. As part of the treatment plan for each young person, you must also attend and contribute to regular meetings.
Full-time child and youth workers are normally paid a salary. The need for membership in a union depends on where you work. Probation periods and language requirements also depend on the policies of individual employers.
You should have a real desire to help children. Since you work closely with young people on a day- to-day basis, you should take a personal interest in them. To make progress, you need to be open and willing to form caring relationships. You must be sensitive to their needs and emotions as well as to their guardians. This requires not only superior interpersonal skills but also tact, courtesy and respect for others.
Interpersonal and communications skills are essential since you are part of a team. You work closely with other heath care professionals as well as with the young person's guardians. As a result, you must be equally comfortable working with groups and with individuals.
You must also be patient and understanding, especially when dealing with young children. No matter what the behaviour, you must be willing to provide the support, encouragement and treatment that will help children under your care to overcome their problems.
Since children can be unpredictable, special skills such as restraining techniques are needed to redirect inappropriate behaviour.
You should be creative and energetic. It is also helpful to know about music, sports and everything else that is of interest to the age group with which you work. You must be prepared to work shifts including evenings and weekends.