Fleming College

Program Highlights

Child and Youth Counsellors (CYCs) are involved in all facets of care from intake, to assessment, to program planning, to goal formulation, and intervention. Practitioners provide assistance through a variety of treatment strategies and work as an integral part of a treatment team. Child Youth Counsellors team up with teachers, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists as well as other social services providers to deliver a holistic approach to caregiving.

• This program ensures that you will acquire the necessary skills for employment as a Child and Youth Care worker and it is designed to meet or exceed upcoming accreditation requirements in this field.
• Three work placements provide varied practical experience and ample opportunity to hone skills to interact with this often challenging client group.
• Courses include innovative and best practices required by the industry, such as trauma-informed practice and treating the family, as well as group dynamics, counselling, advocacy, legislation, crisis intervention, and family dynamics.

The philosophy of the program is to be thoroughly involved with the individual, using everyday occurrences as learning opportunities for growth and empowerment. The curriculum also encourages self-reflective practice of personal values, beliefs, attitudes and assumptions relating to human behavior and relationships. You will also learn self-care strategies to help navigate the impact of working in this sector.

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be eligible to join the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors.

Why Choose Fleming

• Small class sizes and individual attention enhance your learning experience
• This program provides the in-depth training, academic and work placement experience necessary to be successful in this challenging yet rewarding field
• Fleming is the only college in Ontario to offer a specialized training certificate in the Therapeutic Use of Daily Life Events (DLE). The first training session was delivered by the co-founder of the theory, Dr. Thom Garfat, along with a team of DLE trainers
• You will be supported by our knowledgeable and caring faculty who are experts in community and social services education

Work Experience

Placements can take place locally or outside the Peterborough area. Placements are integrated with seminars to provide extra support and direction to students during the three placement experiences. The program provides over 1200 hours of placement experience and preparation.

Is this You?

These traits and abilities will help you succeed in this program and career:

• Compassionate and committed to making a difference in the lives of children, youth, families, and the community
• Team player who thrives in a wide range of dynamic environments
• Energetic, flexible, open-minded, creative, and responsible
• Physical, emotional, and moral strength to work with challenges, such as addictions, mental health, abuse, trauma, and learning difficulties
• Effective communicator
• Calm under pressure

"Many of my classmates were hired while still in the second year of the program as a result of placement experience. I was hired full-time after graduation at Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle, which is where I did all three of my program placements."

Rachel Charles,
Child and Youth Care Program Graduate

Career Opportunities

As a Child and Youth Counsellor, you can find employment in a variety of community-based organizations, public and private workplaces, including human service agencies, educational settings, health facilities, and recreational/ sports facilities. The increased need for CYWs in residential care settings has resulted in an accelerated hiring rate for locations such as group homes, residential and day treatment programs in children's mental health centres, and treatment residences. CYWs work with a diverse range of people and personal circumstances, including:

• Children and youth who have experienced traumatic events in their lives such as abuse and neglect
• Children and youth struggling with mental challenges
• Children, youth, and their families experiencing the impact of homelessness
• Children and youth impacted by addictions, mental health issues
• Children, youth and their families who have experienced violence
• Families living in poverty
• At-risk youth

Indigenous Perspectives Designation

The Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) is an option available to students studying in the Child and Youth Care program. To qualify for the IPD, students must take and successfully complete GNED49 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies and GNED128 - Indigenous Knowledges, along with a minimum of four approved co-curricular Indigenous events or experiences that will be incorporated into the final portfolio assignment in GNED128. The student’s transcript will indicate the IPD designation. Upon graduation, students with an IPD will have a strong foundational basis in Indigenous Studies, and a designation that will be marketable in the employment sector.

Health and Non Academic Requirements

Immunization Requirements: Your program has mandatory immunization requirements that include a "pre-entry" deadline date for submission. For more information, and to print a copy of the immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.

Non Academic Requirements

Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.

Transfer Agreements

You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.