Facilitates weekly trauma-informed groups for children ages 4–18 and their families affected by violence and trauma. Responsibilities include preparing and co-facilitating age-appropriate activities, supporting family interaction, participating in briefings and debriefings, documenting sessions, writing discharge reports, managing crises, and following child welfare, confidentiality, safety, and agency policies. The role works collaboratively with co-facilitators and multidisciplinary teams during Thursday evening sessions.
Who we are
Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities' most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families.
Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.
Who we need
You would be a group facilitator for a group of children (age ranges 4-18 years old, depending on referrals). You will have an experienced co-facilitator and a manual from which to work, from, creating a supportive environment, and running groups alone is not expected.
Generally, arrive at 5pm for a briefing before group to discuss updates, to set up for the program, and connect with their co-facilitators. At 6pm the families arrive, and we all have dinner together. At 6:30pm there is an interactive activity for both mothers and children facilitated by all group facilitators. Then at 7pm, the mothers and children go off to their respective groups to do specific age-appropriate activities based on the weekly topics. At 8pm the families go home, facilitators clean up, have a small group discussion and then we meet as a larger group from 8:45pm - 9:45pm to debrief about clinically relevant parts of the group, and how we can support the unique needs of the participants. Lead facilitators then write their group notes on their own time, within the following 48 hours. An orientation and training materials are provided prior to group starting.
This position requires approximately 6 hours per week.
This is a non-bargaining, casual contract position running from September 2026 to June 2027.
What the role is all about...
What will you bring?
Physical Effort
Working Conditions
Type Of Supervision Required
Reports to Manager, Family Violence Services, consults department heads and the immediate supervisor before making a major decision. Works under general instructions to prioritize and complete assigned tasks. The incumbent works as a part of a team.
Type of Supervision and/or Assistance Given
Weekly briefing and debriefing team sessions, manager provides support, guidance, informal training or instruction.
Other Requirements
Compensation
At Child Development Institute (CDI), we believe that compensation should be transparent, fair, and supportive of your experience and growth. For this role, the wage is 35.71 per hour, aligned with the complexity of the position and internal equity, ensuring a fair and competitive salary within our sector.
We believe in transparency and open conversations about compensation. If you have any questions about our approach, we are happy to discuss them throughout the hiring process.
Join us.
Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.
At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:
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 whole application.
What you can expect from our interview process:
Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities' most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families.
Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.
Who we need
You would be a group facilitator for a group of children (age ranges 4-18 years old, depending on referrals). You will have an experienced co-facilitator and a manual from which to work, from, creating a supportive environment, and running groups alone is not expected.
Generally, arrive at 5pm for a briefing before group to discuss updates, to set up for the program, and connect with their co-facilitators. At 6pm the families arrive, and we all have dinner together. At 6:30pm there is an interactive activity for both mothers and children facilitated by all group facilitators. Then at 7pm, the mothers and children go off to their respective groups to do specific age-appropriate activities based on the weekly topics. At 8pm the families go home, facilitators clean up, have a small group discussion and then we meet as a larger group from 8:45pm - 9:45pm to debrief about clinically relevant parts of the group, and how we can support the unique needs of the participants. Lead facilitators then write their group notes on their own time, within the following 48 hours. An orientation and training materials are provided prior to group starting.
This position requires approximately 6 hours per week.
This is a non-bargaining, casual contract position running from September 2026 to June 2027.
What the role is all about...
- Participate in weekly program briefing sessions with facilitation team.
- Share meal with family promoting family connection and communication.
- Prepares weekly children’s group sessions focused on weekly themes.
- Works with co-facilitator in coordinating division of responsibilities each session.
- Perform weekly “task/duty” as assigned (family meet & greet, coat duty, food pick-up, food serving, food clean-up, end of night watch).
- Co-facilitate family interactive.
- Supporting mothers and children’s participation in family interactive.
- Co-facilitating weekly children’s group sessions.
- Write children’s case-notes after group session.
- Participate in debriefing sessions with facilitation team.
- Write discharge reports.
- Ensures internal policies and procedures are in adherence.
- Represents agency in a positive manner and adheres to a high level of professional conduct in all interactions.
- Other duties as required.
What will you bring?
- Minimum Child and Youth Worker diploma or equivalent, BSW preferred
- Minimum 1-year experience working with children and families from diverse backgrounds who have experienced violence, trauma and transitioned from home to shelter
- Knowledge of family violence and the impact this has on child development, their caregivers and family dynamics
- Clear understanding and ability to work from a trauma-informed approach
- Strong ability to creatively support children in a group setting processing thoughts and feelings related to past experiences of abuse, practice emotion regulation, develop safety planning skills
- An understanding of trauma informed behavioural management to support children’s externalizing behavior
- An understanding of trauma informed and creative means of supporting children who internalize behaviour
- Demonstrated skills and experience in facilitating groups for children – including comfort working with the full range of developmental levels from school age to adolescents.
- Understand and maintain client confidentiality and the complexity of this in working with children.
- Understanding of child welfare legislation and duty to report protocols.
- An ability to work in a distractible, multi-tasking environment.
- An ability to work collaboratively with children, their families and program team.
- An ability to work on a multi-disciplinary team.
- Sound knowledge of anti-oppressive practices and ability to implement them in work with children, youth and families.
- Strong documentation skills.
- Reflective worker who is dedicated to a team briefing model.
- Mental effort required in multi-tasking and handling interruptions that require constant refocusing.
- Mental flexibility required to facilitate a group program with a number of components (briefing, meet & greet, dinner, interactive, group, goodnight, documentation, debriefing) requiring ability to support and adapt to client and team needs
- Manage crisis situations, as needed following agency policies, child welfare and health and safety standards.
Physical Effort
- Standing and moving throughout group night
- Transporting children to group room and to reception area via stairs/elevator
- Lifting or moving up to 20lbs may be required.
Working Conditions
- Governed by concurrent and dynamic deadlines, despite conflicting priorities and frequent interruptions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- Fast-paced environment.
- This position requires attendance at a three-hour orientation week before group start
- This position requires working Thursday evenings from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.
Type Of Supervision Required
Reports to Manager, Family Violence Services, consults department heads and the immediate supervisor before making a major decision. Works under general instructions to prioritize and complete assigned tasks. The incumbent works as a part of a team.
Type of Supervision and/or Assistance Given
Weekly briefing and debriefing team sessions, manager provides support, guidance, informal training or instruction.
Other Requirements
- All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Credential verifications & References required.
Compensation
At Child Development Institute (CDI), we believe that compensation should be transparent, fair, and supportive of your experience and growth. For this role, the wage is 35.71 per hour, aligned with the complexity of the position and internal equity, ensuring a fair and competitive salary within our sector.
We believe in transparency and open conversations about compensation. If you have any questions about our approach, we are happy to discuss them throughout the hiring process.
Join us.
Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.
At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:
- Full health and well-being benefits.
- Flexible hours in a planned program environment.
- A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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 whole application.
What you can expect from our interview process:
- An in-person interview with the Hiring Manager and an HR Representative, where you will have an opportunity to further expand on your knowledge and experience as well as ask questions.
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