Job Summary:

Canadian Companion Services (CCS) is seeking a compassionate, reliable, and patient Care Aide / Respite Support Worker to provide one-on-one and small-group support to children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, communication challenges, behavioural needs, and other support needs.

The Support Aide will work under the direction and guidance of qualified professionals such as Behavioural Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, educators, teachers, and other members of the individual's support team.

The successful candidate will assist the child or youth in participating safely and meaningfully in classroom, daycare, learning, therapy, recreational, and community activities. The role focuses on implementing strategies and recommendations provided by the supervising professional and supporting the individual's development, independence, communication, social participation, emotional regulation, and daily living skills.

Key Responsibilities

1. Individualized Support

- Provide one-on-one or small-group support to children and youth based on their individual needs and established care or support plans.
- Support children with Autism, ADHD, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, communication difficulties, sensory needs, and other exceptionalities.
- Assist individuals to participate in classroom, daycare, therapy, recreational, and community activities.
- Provide appropriate prompting, encouragement, modelling, and redirection while promoting independence.
- Follow individualized instructions provided by the supervising professional, educator, parent/guardian, or CCS supervisor.

2. Behavioural Support

- Implement behaviour-support strategies developed or recommended by the supervising Behavioural Therapist or other qualified professional.
- Support positive behaviour using respectful, trauma-informed, person-centred, and strength-based approaches.
- Assist with emotional regulation and help the child use appropriate coping strategies.
- Recognize and respond appropriately to signs of frustration, anxiety, overstimulation, or dysregulation.
- Use proactive strategies to reduce challenging situations and promote successful participation.
- Provide appropriate redirection while maintaining the individual's dignity and safety.




- Record and communicate significant behavioural observations according to CCS procedures.
- Follow approved crisis, safety, and behaviour-support procedures when required.

3. Communication Support

- Support communication strategies recommended by an SLP, educator, or other qualified professional.
- Encourage functional communication through speech, gestures, visual supports, communication boards, or AAC devices where applicable.
- Provide appropriate wait time and prompts to allow the child to communicate independently.
- Support the use of communication systems consistently across activities.
- Report communication progress, challenges, and observations to the supervising professional or CCS supervisor.
- Never modify an individual's communication or therapy program without direction from the appropriate professional.

4. Classroom and Daycare Support

- Work collaboratively with teachers, educators, daycare staff, therapists, and other team members.
- Assist the child in following classroom routines and participating in activities.
- Help the child transition between activities, locations, and routines.
- Support attention, task completion, organization, and participation.
- Assist with age-appropriate academic or developmental activities as directed by the educator or supervising professional.
- Support appropriate peer interaction and social participation.
- Help maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.
- Respect classroom and daycare policies and procedures.

5 Safety and Supervision

- Maintain active supervision of the child or youth according to the individual's safety plan and assigned responsibilities.
- Monitor for environmental hazards and potential safety concerns.
- Support safe transitions within classrooms, daycare settings, buildings, playgrounds, and community locations.
- Follow individualized safety plans and emergency procedures.
- Report injuries, incidents, significant behavioural events, or safety concerns immediately to the appropriate supervisor.




- Follow CCS policies regarding incident reporting, confidentiality, abuse prevention, and duty to report.
- Maintain appropriate skilled boundaries at all times.

6. Documentation and Communication

- Maintain accurate daily notes and documentation as required.
- Document activities completed, participation, progress, challenges, and significant observations.
- Complete incident reports when required.
- Communicate relevant observations to the CCS supervisor and appropriate members of the individual's support team.
- Attend team meetings, case conferences, training sessions, and supervision meetings when requested.
- Maintain confidentiality of all client, family, school, daycare, and organizational information.

Qualifications and Certification Requirements The successful candidate should have education, training, experience, or a combination of these relevant to supporting children and youth with disabilities.

Diploma, certificate, or degree in a related field, such as:

- Educational Assistant / Teacher Assistant.
- Early Childhood Education (ECE).
- Child and Youth Care.

Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Required or Preferred Training/Certifications

Depending on the position and client requirements, candidates may be required to have:

- Standard First Aid and CPR/AED certification.
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), CPI, or equivalent crisis-intervention training, where required.
- Behavioural support/ABA training or willingness to complete CCS-approved training.
- Trauma-informed care training.
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) training.
- Abuse prevention and reporting training.
- Medication Administration training, where medication support is part of the assigned duties.
- WHMIS, where applicable.
- Food safety training, where applicable.
- Mental Health First Aid, where applicable.
- Training in AAC/communication supports, where required for the individual.
- Any additional training identified in the child's or youth's individualized support plan.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: Up to $20.00 per hour

Education

- Secondary School (required)

Experience:
- Care Aide: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:
- CPR Certification, Crisis De-escalation, PBS, TIC (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Care Aide and Respite Support Worker (Calgary)
🏢 Canadian Companion Services
📍 Calgary