Integrated Child & Youth Peer Support Worker

Integrated Child & Youth Peer Support Worker

Recognized for its diversity, dedication to inclusion, and strong partnerships with the community, the Richmond School District is among one of the largest districts in British Columbia with some of the highest graduation rates in the province. With a long history of providing high quality experiences for students, the Richmond School District strives to be “The Best Place to Learn and Lead.”

Richmond School District operates 38 elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, alternate programs, continuing education and a number of additional facilities. The district enrolls approximately 21,000 students (K-12) and employs over 3000 dedicated staff.

This position participates as a core ICY team member. Drawing on their own lived experience, the ICY Peer Support Worker offers peer-based mentoring and emotional support, and works collaboratively with youth, their families, and members of the care team. This position acts as a role model and helps young people and their families work towards their self-identified goals by supporting them with systems navigation and to connecting them with resources on ICY teams and in the community.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide peer-based mentoring and emotional support to youth ages 12-19 with the following:

1. Establishing a purposeful relationship based on respect with youth and their families and friends by encouraging informed decision making and helping to create a non-judgmental environment by sharing experiences and insights;
2. Providing support that aligns with ICY practice principles: culturally safe, trauma informed, child/youth/family centred, Nation/community centred, and inclusive of youth who identity as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community;
3. Supporting youths’ recovery through selective motivational and supportive self-disclosure including the sharing of personal recovery experiences and strategies for attaining and maintaining wellness;
4. Encouraging and supporting youth to become active and involved in their own health, promoting youth participation in activities, and encouraging membership in the school community;
5. Advocating for youth and accompanying youth to appointments when requested;
6. Supporting systems navigation and resource distribution to youth;
7. Facilitating or co-facilitating groups for children, youth and families as needed;

• Work in an integrated approach within a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with organizational community and hospital-based teams.
• Access supervision to support regular consultation, learning and reflection as applied to the role of Youth Peer Support Worker.
• Participate on integrated care planning conferences, team meetings, case reviews, and organizational initiatives as required.
• Participate in training opportunities through ICY team and employer organization, and in evaluation, quality improvement and research activities as required.
• Complete and maintain related records and documentation pertaining to organization and ICY teams.
• Facilitate youth engagement and participation in focus groups, workshops, surveys, and related activities.

Required Qualifications

• Grade 12 Graduation Dogwood or Completion Certificate, including at least one (1) year of related experience working with youth and young adults with mental health and/or substance use issues or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Completion or near completion of the BC Campus Provincial Peer Training Curriculum. Preference may be given to individuals who have also completed a recognized Peer Support Training course.
• Lived understanding of mental illness and/or substance use.
• Lived experience and/or understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusive practices (i.e. Indigeneity, anti-racism, LGBTQ2+) as it relates to the local population.
• Establish rapport and maintain respectful relationships with young people and family members.
• Empathic, compassionate, with good listening skills and creative thinking.
• Observe and recognize changes in youth and communicate those changes to others on the care team.
• Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills.
• Self-awareness and capacity to apply appropriate boundaries and maintain confidentiality.
• Promote positive change and independence.
• Self-starter with a positive attitude, and able to advocate for self and others.
• Knowledge of social, mental health, and substance use services available in the community.
• Knowledge of systemic issues and risk factors facing minority groups including LGBTQ2S+ and Indigenous youth and young adults, including the ongoing impacts of colonialism.
• Problem solving and decision-making skills; ability to gather and process information to support the organization and its team.
• Communication skills, ability to speak, listen, and write clearly, thoroughly, and professionally.
• Organizational and time management skills, accountability, reliability, and punctuality.
• Ability to work independently and show initiative, as well as be part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Basic computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

For more information about Richmond School District 38, please visit www.makeafuture.ca/richmond or our website at www.sd38.bc.ca.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however ONLY those being considered for interviews will be contacted.

Richmond School District is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Our ability to provide the best education for our student population relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds and experiences. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Richmond School District is the best place to learn and lead.