Child and Youth Worker
Encyclopedia
Child and Youth Workers, also known as Child Care Workers, Child and Youth Counsellors, and Child and Youth Care Workers are professionals who work with children and adolescents in various therapeutic contexts, in the USA and Canada.
CYWs often complete a three-year programme in a community college leading to a diploma. Programmes will include coursework and field placement. Typically, the first year placement is in an elementary school classroom, second year is in a therapeutic group home, and third is a specialised setting such as a hospital, chosen by the student. Some individuals enter the child and youth care field with a college diploma or university degree in a related field, such as psychology
, sociology
, or social service worker training.
CYWs work in many milieux, including schools, psychiatric hospitals, and a variety of treatment programmes. The typical "entry level" position for a CYW is as a front-line worker in a therapeutic group home. They may go on to work in special education directed career.
CYWs often complete a three-year programme in a community college leading to a diploma. Programmes will include coursework and field placement. Typically, the first year placement is in an elementary school classroom, second year is in a therapeutic group home, and third is a specialised setting such as a hospital, chosen by the student. Some individuals enter the child and youth care field with a college diploma or university degree in a related field, such as psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
, or social service worker training.
CYWs work in many milieux, including schools, psychiatric hospitals, and a variety of treatment programmes. The typical "entry level" position for a CYW is as a front-line worker in a therapeutic group home. They may go on to work in special education directed career.
External links
- Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors
- Centennial College description of a typical CYW training programme
- Fanshawe College typical program description
- CYC-NET International Child and Youth Care Network