Child and Youth Worker

The Child and Youth Worker program offered at Centennial College prepares sudents for a career as a mental health professional, working with emotionally and behaviourally troubled children, adolescents and their families.

Students on this program get to learn about the principles and theories relating to human behaviour, factors affecting emotional growth and development, as well as practical skills in communication, treatment, teamwork and dealing with people.

The faculty work closely with students in order to support skills development and growth. Students benefit from supervised field placements in a variety of clinical settings structured to meet your needs and interests.

Centennial College expects students applying for admission to certificate or diploma programs to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Academic Requirements
compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent

Non-academic Requirements
English proficiency will be considered in the admissions process
information session may be required

Applicants are advised that field placement agencies require criminal reference checks prior to each student placement. Certain criminal convictions will disallow placement in these agencies and program completion may not be possible.

- students experience field placements in a variety of settings, including treatment centres, school boards, hospitals and children's aid societies
- there is the opportunity for specialization in projects and placements
- the faculty has extensive teaching and field experience
- education includes courses that develop and reinforce skills and confidence
- the advanced diploma received upon graduation reflects high standards of learning

Graduates from the Child and Youth Worker program at Centennial College are employed in agencies that serve troubled children, youth and families, as well as at residential treatment facilities, hospitals, day treatment programs, family support positions, young offender programs, school boards, child abuse centres, children's aid societies and community-based programs.

Recent graduate employers include:
Aisling/Discoveries Centre for Children & Families
Blue Hills Child and Family Services
Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto
Central Toronto Youth Services
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Children's Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto
Durham Children's Aid Society
Durham Public and Catholic District School Boards
East Metro Youth Services
Enterphase Child and Family Services
Frontenac Youth Services
The Griffin Centre
Hincks Dellcrest Centre
Kennedy House Youth Services
Kinark Child and Family Services
Lakeridge Health Corporation
Massey Centre
North York General Hospital
Peel Region Children's Aid Society
Rouge Valley Health System
St. Joseph's Health Centre
Thistletown Regional Centre
Toronto Catholic District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Whitby Mental Health Centre
York Centre for Children Youth & Families
York Region District School Board
Youthdale Treatment Centres

Semester 1 Courses:
Introduction to Child & Youth Work
Childhood Disorders
Counselling & Communication Skills
Preparation for Field Placements
Developmental Issues in Childhood & Adolescence
Principles of Human Behaviour
College Communication 1 / (ESL)

Semester 2 Courses:
Field Practicum 1 (School Based) (two days/week over 16 weeks)
Integrative Field Seminar 1 (One hour/week over 15 weeks)
School-Based Child &Youth Work
Psychopathology of Childhood
Group Interaction in Child & Youth Work
Residential Child & Youth Work
Introduction To Family Development
College Communication 2 / (ESL)

Semester 3 Courses:
STREAM A
Multimodal Therapies in Child & Youth Work
Psychopathology in Adolescence and Early Adulthood
Family Dysfunctions and Therapies
Laws Affecting Treatment Delivery
Clinical Recording and Presentation Skills
Global Citizenship: From Social Analysis to Social Action

Semester 4 Courses:
STREAM B
Field Practicum 2 (Residential) (Four days/week over 16 weeks)
Integrative Field Seminar 2 (One hour/week over 15 weeks)
Advanced Group Skills
Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviour

Semester 5 Courses:
Field Practicum 3 Part 1 (Specialized) (three days/week over 15 weeks)
Integrative Field Seminar 3
Child Abuse
Advanced Counselling Skills
Life and Social Skills

Semester 6 Courses:
Field Practicum 3 Part 2 (Specialized) (three days/week over 15 weeks)
Integrative Field Seminar 3 Part 2
Crisis Interventions
Administrative and Organizational Issues I Child and Youth Work
Research Methodology
Elective

Ontario College Advanced Diploma

Upon graduation from the Child and Youth Worker program, students may wish to continue their education at Ryerson University in the Child and Youth Care degree program. If accepted, two years of advanced standing will be granted towards a four-year degree. The University of Western Sydney in Australia also offers two years advanced standing towards a three-year degree in Child and Youth Work. Advanced standing credits are also offered by other universities towards a related degree, i.e. psychology.

Centennial College welcomes international students to the unique benefits of post-secondary education in Canada.

Centennial College is located in Toronto's culturally diverse communities of Scarborough and East York.

Centennial College is Ontario’s first Applied Arts and Technology institute established in 1966 serving over 12,000 students with more than 90 Internationally Recognized Programs in Business; Hospitality, Tourism and Culture; Communications, Media and Design; Community and Health Studies, Transportation; Health Sciences and Engineering and Applied Arts.

Centennial College has a long international tradition. It has been reaching out to international students for most of its 40-year history.

As a publicly-funded college, the college meets set standards by the Ontario Government, Ministry of Education and Training.
The diplomas, degrees and certificates grant by Centennial College are recognized internationally.

Diplomas, Social care, social work, community Centennial College, Centennial, Toronto