Supervisor, Therapeutic Recreation Programs

Toronto, ON, Canada

Full Time

Clinical Services

Manager/Supervisor

Who we are

As the need for mental health services grows, Child Development Institute (CDI) continues to be the steadfast support and leading provider of specialized mental health services for children and youth aged 0-18 and their families. All of our services are guided by a strength-based approach that incorporates the family and the community in the journey of supporting children and youth.

Trusted with the mental well-being of our community's most vulnerable members, infants, children and youth, all of our programming is backed by rigorous research. Science is the backbone which informs our work as we evolve alongside the needs of our community.

We are committed to providing services that are respectful of racial, cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity, as well as sexual orientation, age, gender and family differences. All our services are delivered by deeply caring and compassionate staff that guide children, youth and families along a mental health journey in a safe, respectful and welcoming space.

Who we need

Reporting to the Senior Manager, SNAP & Therapeutic Recreation Programs, we are hiring a Supervisor, Therapeutic Recreation Programs to lead and oversee the delivery of our evidence based Therapeutic Recreation Programs, including the martial arts school-year program and Camp Towhee( located near Haliburton) in the summer. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring service excellence and collaborating across departments to support seamless operations, logistics, and program delivery. As part of our management team, you will contribute to executing our strategic vision while addressing operational needs for the programs under your oversight. Additionally, you will cultivate strong partnerships with internal teams and external mental health and community service organizations to enhance support for the children and families we serve.

This is a chance to lead the team and the delivery of life-changing programs for children and youth as you work to align therapeutic program delivery with our mission, vision, and values.

This is a full-time position requiring onsite work five days a week at our St. Clair Gardens location.

What’s in it for you

Profound purpose. You want to play a vital role in creating and fostering a positive experience with measurable outcomes in the lives of children and youth seeking both support and a fulfilling recreational experience. This is your chance to champion therapeutic recreation activities that build mental, social, and emotional resilience and well-being in children and youth with mental health challenges and learning disabilities. You will work closely with families, receiving direct feedback that reinforces the profound impact of your work, while supporting a program that transforms lives.

Influence. You want the chance to ensure the reach of our recreation programs is wide and that the needs of participants are being met through the delivery of measurement-based outcomes. You want to introduce best practices, processes, and innovation to optimize our recreation programs and re-focus on the therapeutic aspects.

Personal and professional growth. This is an opportunity to join a dedicated, evidence-based child and youth mental health agency recognized for its commitment to excellence. Working alongside a team of passionate individuals, you will hone your leadership skills, and strengthen your ability to coach and inspire others. You will directly influence and optimize the performance standards and measurable results of the programs being delivered, the staff doing the work, and the families participating.

As our new Supervisor, Therapeutic Recreational Programs, you will:

Align with organizational mission and standards. You will operate within our vision, mission, values, and goals. You will ensure that Therapeutic Recreation Programs align with ethical and professional standards, are evidence-informed, and meet all legislative, accreditation, Ministry, and Occupational Health and Safety requirements.
Lead a team. You will provide direct supervision to assigned staff, ensuring quality service delivery following best management practices, the Collective Agreement, and our supervision approach. You will recruit, hire, and train new employees while fostering a culture of continuous knowledge development in areas such as child development, family functioning, and evidence-supported interventions.
Oversee program operations and quality. You will manage the daily operations of the Therapeutic Recreation Programs, ensuring service quality, effective risk management, and budget adherence. This includes travelling to Haliburton to collaborate with the Camp Towhee Director and ensure that camp is meeting our quality standards and ready to welcome and serve campers. Working within a strength-based model, you will develop, plan and support the implementation of therapeutic recreation programming for children and youth experiencing internalizing and externalizing issues complicated by a learning disability.
Nurture collaboration. You will establish and maintain positive relationships with families, support networks, community agencies, hospitals, and other stakeholders. You will liaise and consult with internal and external professionals to ensure seamless service coordination and appropriate internal program referrals.
Evaluate program effectiveness. You will develop and implement program guidelines, ensuring all client and program documentation aligns with CDI policies and procedures. You will assess program impact through quality assurance, evaluation, data collection, and research. You will plan and optimize programs using measurement-based outcomes, ensuring they effectively support children and youth in various settings. Additionally, you will monitor intake, progress, and discharge, ensuring participants build skills and achieve meaningful growth through recreational programming.
Participate in organizational leadership. You will represent the agency in the community and maintain a strong professional profile. You will attend Agency and Clinical Services People Managers meetings and other relevant agency meetings and committees to ensure coordination and effective agency operations.
Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards. You will uphold confidentiality in all aspects of the role (written, verbal, and implied) and ensure that all therapeutic practices align with ethical and professional standards.
Create a knowledge-sharing environment. You will stay current with evidence-supported research on child development, therapeutic recreation, and family interventions, integrating this knowledge into program delivery and staff training.

What you bring:

The education and experience. You have a University degree (BSW or CYC) or CYC College Diploma. You have extensive experience working with children, youth, families and groups in a therapeutic child and youth mental health setting, including delivering evidence-informed therapeutic recreation programs. You have worked in a supervisory or leadership capacity and exercise good judgment in making decisions within the scope of authority. Experience with learning disabilities and mental health (LDMH) is an asset.
Exceptional interpersonal skills. You are a dedicated and adaptable team player who collaborates effectively with colleagues at all levels. You build positive relationships and work respectfully with diverse children, youth, and families, applying an anti-oppressive lens to foster inclusivity and belonging.
Leadership skills. You have a proven ability to supervise and mentor staff, manage risk and complex situations, and provide operational leadership in hiring, training, and program development. You are committed to continuous learning and professional growth, ensuring high standards in program delivery.
Respectful and relational approach. You excel at building genuine, trusting relationships with children, youth, and families. Your ability to coach, train, and provide constructive feedback ensures the success and growth of both staff and program participants.
Professional integrity. You uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in client interactions, documentation, confidentiality, and agency information security. You are committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone.
Emotional intelligence and resilience. You remain calm and positive in high-risk, high-stakes situations, demonstrating exceptional patience and the ability to engage individuals from diverse backgrounds. You are skilled at navigating conflicts, offering support, and fostering a sense of safety and stability.
Availability and flexibility. You are willing and able to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed. You hold a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle to meet the travel requirements of the role, including travelling to Camp Towhee as needed.

Other Requirements

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

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 application.

What you can expect from our interview process:

A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role and background.
An in-person interview with the Senior Manager, SNAP & Therapeutic Recreation Programs, another Senior team member, and an HR representative to learn more about the role and an opportunity to ask and answer questions about our therapeutic recreation programs, the communities we serve, and our mission.

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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Help us maintain an inclusive culture.

We want anyone, anywhere to have the same chance and opportunity to build a life they love and that they are proud of. We are proactive in creating a belonging environment that anyone can be a part of. Thoughtful, data-driven decision-making is core to this success. We ask these questions to strengthen our practices by using data to identify and mitigate unconscious bias in our hiring process.

If you choose to answer them, the responses are ONLY used in aggregate to help us identify areas for improvement in our processes. Your responses, or your choice to prefer not to say, will not be associated with your application and will not in any way be used in the hiring decision. For one, that’s illegal, and we’re really not into breaking the law. Keep being awesome, and thank you for considering work at Child Development Institute.

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