Who we are

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities’ most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families. 

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

Who we need

Reporting to the Supervisor, Intake and School-based Services, we are hiring a Community Child Worker to deliver evidence-based, school-based social skills programming for children in Kindergarten through Grade 5. As our new Community Child Worker, you will facilitate both small-group and classroom-based programs that support emotional regulation, problem solving, social development, and school functioning for children facing social-emotional and behavioural challenges. You will work closely with teachers, school staff, caregivers, and community partners to help create supportive learning environments while promoting positive outcomes for children and families.

This existing vacancy is a full-time, community-based position working primarily on-site within partner schools and community locations across Toronto, with regular in-office time at our Euclid location for administration, planning, and team collaboration.

What's in it for you 

Meaningful impact. You will play a meaningful role in supporting children during foundational stages of social and emotional development. Through evidence-based school programs, you will help children build confidence, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills that positively influence their classroom experience, peer relationships, and overall wellbeing. You will also work closely with educators, caregivers, and community partners to help create supportive learning environments within schools and the broader community.

Variety and autonomy. This role offers variety in both environment and interaction, with the opportunity to work across multiple schools, age groups, classrooms, and community settings throughout the week. Rather than being tied to a traditional office environment, you will have the opportunity to build relationships across schools and communities while managing your day-to-day work with a high degree of independence and trust.

Supportive team and work rhythm. You will join an experienced and longstanding team that values collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and supporting one another through the realities of community-based work. The role offers a balance between direct program delivery, planning, administration, reporting, and team collaboration, with a work rhythm that aligns closely with the school calendar and shifts seasonally between school-based programming, summer programming, training, and program preparation.

As our new Community Child Worker, you will:

• Deliver evidence-based school and community programming. You will facilitate evidence-based social skills and emotional regulation programs for children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 within school and community settings. This includes leading both small-group and classroom-based programming through initiatives such as Start Right Social Skills and SNAP for Schools, while creating safe, engaging, and supportive environments for children with social-emotional and behavioural challenges.
• Support children, families, and school partners. You will work closely with teachers, school staff, caregivers, and community partners to support children within their broader social and educational environments. You will provide consultation, behavioural support, and guidance to families and educators, contribute to service coordination activities, and help connect children and families to additional community resources and supports when appropriate.
• Assess needs and maintain responsive interventions. You will assess, monitor, and adapt interventions to support the evolving needs of children participating in programs and services. You will contribute to program planning and evaluation activities, maintain accurate documentation and case records, complete reports and case notes, and support ongoing program effectiveness through observation, follow-up, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate programming and administrative activities. You will support the day-to-day coordination and delivery of school-based programming by managing program logistics, supporting referrals and intake activities, preparing materials, maintaining schedules, and ensuring program documentation is completed accurately and on time. You will balance direct service delivery with planning, reporting, administrative responsibilities, and participation in team meetings, training, and collaborative initiatives.
• Contribute to a collaborative and community-focused team environment. You will work both independently in community settings and collaboratively as part of an experienced multidisciplinary team. You will contribute to knowledge-sharing, program development, and continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining a strong commitment to child safety, service quality, professionalism, and CDI’s community-based approach to care.

What you bring 

• The child and youth work experience. You have a Child and Youth Worker (CYW) diploma and a minimum of two years of related experience working with children and youth in community, school-based, childcare, or mental health settings. You have experience supporting children with social-emotional, behavioural, or self-regulation challenges and are comfortable working with children from Kindergarten through Grade 5 in both small-group and classroom environments.
• The group facilitation and relationship-building skills. You are confident facilitating both small-group and larger classroom-based programs and can build trust and rapport with children, educators, caregivers, and community partners. You are comfortable leading activities independently, adapting your approach based on the needs of different age groups and classroom dynamics, and navigating a variety of personalities and environments with professionalism and empathy.
• The independence, organization, and adaptability. You are highly organized and able to manage competing priorities, schedules, documentation, and program preparation across multiple school and community locations. You are comfortable working independently for much of the week while remaining collaborative, responsive, and connected to the broader team. You can adapt to changing schedules, cancellations, evolving school needs, and different stakeholder expectations while maintaining a calm and professional approach.
• The flexibility and commitment to service delivery. You understand the importance of consistency within school-based programming and are comfortable working within a schedule that aligns closely with the school calendar. You can proactively plan vacation time and personal commitments around program delivery needs, with most vacation time typically taken during summer, winter, and March break periods to support continuity for children, families, and school partners.
• The communication and documentation skills. You have strong verbal and written communication skills and are comfortable completing case notes, reports, program documentation, and administrative tasks in a timely and organized manner. You understand the importance of accurate record-keeping, collaboration, and confidentiality within a community-based service environment.
• The mobility and community-based mindset. You are comfortable travelling between multiple TDSB and TCDSB schools and community locations throughout Toronto and understand the realities of working within community-based programming. A valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle are strongly preferred.

Other requirements

All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check and references.

Compensation: $69,083 per year. This is a unionized position under CUPE.

Join us.

Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.

At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:

• Flexible hours in a planned program environment.
• A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Ongoing paid professional development opportunities and certifications. 

If you want to be part of our vision to make a measurable lifelong impact on the mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families, join us.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
• An in-person interview with the Supervisor, Intake and School-based Services and an HR representative focused on your experience supporting children with social-emotional and behavioural needs, facilitating both small-group and classroom-based programming, working collaboratively with schools and families, and managing the realities of a highly community-based and independent role. The discussion will also explore your approach to organization, adaptability, documentation, and balancing multiple school and stakeholder relationships across different environments.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at [email protected]. 

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