Child & Youth Counsellor (BSW, MSW, RSW, RSSW, RP or RP Qualifying)

Algoma Child Development & Wellness Centre

Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario / Remote within Ontario

Employment Type: Casual Part-Time, with Potential for Full-Time Employment

Work Setting: Virtual initially, with future in-person counselling opportunities

Schedule: Flexible, based on scheduled appointments

Start Date: To be determined, following completion of onboarding and launch preparations

About Our Centre

Algoma Child Development & Wellness Centre is a newly established child and family focused practice in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, preparing to launch virtual counselling services.

Our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where children, youth and families can receive compassionate, evidence-informed counselling tailored to their individual needs.

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate and dedicated counselling skilled to join our team on a casual part-time basis, with the potential to transition into full-time employment as service demand increases.

The position will initially involve virtual counselling, with opportunities to provide in-person, play-based counselling as the centre develops.

Position Overview

The successful candidate will provide counselling services to children, youth and families experiencing emotional, behavioural, social and mental health challenges.

We are looking for someone confident in conducting intakes, communicating with families, completing assessments, developing treatment plans and independently providing counselling within their professional scope of practice.

Our planned in-person services will primarily focus on children ages 2 to 12, while virtual counselling may be offered to children and youth up to age 18.

Education and Professional Qualifications

Applicants must have appropriate education, clinical experience and current registration in good standing with the relevant Ontario regulatory college.

We welcome applications from:

- Master of Social Work (MSW), Registered Social Worker (RSW).
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Registered Social Worker (RSW).
- Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW) with appropriate clinical training and counselling experience.
- Registered Psychotherapist (RP).
- Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), with required clinical supervision arrangements.

Applicants with an MSW and experience in child and youth counselling, family consultations, clinical assessments and play-based approaches are especially encouraged to apply.





All applicants must be qualified and competent to provide the counselling services assigned to them.

Required Experience and Skills

- Experience providing counselling to children, youth and families.
- Experience conducting initial consultations, clinical intakes and psychosocial assessments.
- Strong communication skills with parents and caregivers.
- Knowledge of child development and mental health concerns.
- Ability to develop individualized treatment plans and counselling goals.
- Experience supporting anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, emotional regulation and behavioural challenges.
- Knowledge of risk assessments, safety planning and appropriate referrals.
- Understanding of confidentiality, informed consent, privacy and professional boundaries.
- Ability to maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with centre leadership.
- Willingness and ability to provide virtual and potentially in-person counselling.

Preferred Experience and Training

- Play-based and child-centred counselling.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
- Trauma-informed and attachment-informed counselling.
- Parent and caregiver consultations.
- ADHD, autism and developmental differences.
- Learning disabilities and sensory processing differences.
- Emotional regulation and behavioural support.
- Social skills, bullying and friendship difficulties.
- Family separation, divorce and grief.
- Crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
- Experience using secure virtual counselling platforms.

Certifications and Screening Requirements

Successful candidates must provide or complete:

- Proof of current professional registration in good standing with OCSWSSW or CRPO.
- Verification of educational qualifications.
- Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC), including applicable police information screening.
- Professional references.
- Required clinical supervision arrangements, where applicable.
- Eligibility for professional liability insurance arranged through the centre, subject to insurer approval.
- Private, confidential workspace for virtual counselling.
- Reliable internet connection and ability to use secure counselling software.





Additional certifications:

- Standard First Aid and CPR preferred for virtual services and required before providing in-person services.
- ASIST, SafeTALK, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or equivalent training considered an asset.
- Additional training or certificates in child and youth mental health, play-based interventions or trauma-informed care considered an asset.

Key Responsibilities

- Conduct intake consultations and assessments with children, youth and families.
- Provide individual virtual counselling.
- Develop individualized treatment plans and therapeutic goals.
- Communicate with parents and caregivers as clinically appropriate.
- Maintain accurate and confidential clinical records.
- Provide appropriate referrals and recommendations.
- Participate in clinical consultation and supervision as required.
- Follow applicable legislation, professional standards and centre policies.
- Potentially provide in-person, play-based counselling as the centre develops.

What We Offer

- Casual part-time employment with flexible scheduling.
- Potential transition into full-time employment as the centre becomes established and service demand increases.
- Opportunity to join a newly established child and family focused practice.
- Professional liability insurance arranged through the centre, subject to eligibility and policy approval.
- Access to secure counselling and clinical documentation software.
- Administrative coordination of scheduling and billing.
- Opportunities for professional consultation and collaboration.
- Potential involvement in future in-person counselling, play-based services and therapeutic groups.
- Long-term professional growth opportunities.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining their education, current professional registration, relevant counselling experience and availability.

Please include your experience working with children and youth, conducting clinical intakes, providing virtual counselling and using play-based therapeutic approaches.

Applicants are also encouraged to indicate whether they are interested in future in-person counselling opportunities in Sault Ste. Marie and potentially transitioning into full-time employment.

Email applications to:

Algoma Child Development & Wellness Centre

Growing Together Through Play, Connection & Belonging.

A place to play, connect, belong & grow.

Pay: $28.00-$33.00 per hour

Benefits:

- Flexible schedule

Work Location: Remote

📌 Child & Youth Counsellor (Sault Ste. Marie)
🏢 Algoma Child Development & Wellness Centre
📍 Sault Ste. Marie