Child and Youth Care
Prepare for a rewarding career helping children and youth navigate social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Westlake College's Child and Youth Care Program equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to make a meaningful difference in young people's lives.
About this program
Equip yourself with the vital skills needed to support and empower children, youth, and families facing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
This comprehensive program covers critical areas including child development, mental health literacy, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed practices. Guided by industry standards, you will gain hands-on expertise in case management, counseling techniques, and advocacy, culminating in a practical virtual project.
Graduate ready to foster resilience and make a meaningful, lasting impact in your community.
Course Description
Delivered over 42 weeks, with instructor-led online coursework paired with mandatory hands-on work placements, this program combines academic learning with real-world experience from day one.
Curriculum covers child development, psychology, counseling, crisis management, and behavior management, giving you a well-rounded foundation for working with children and youth facing a range of challenges.
Through mandatory placements in settings such as schools, residential treatment facilities, and community centers, you’ll apply what you learn in the classroom directly to real-world situations — building the confidence and experience employers look for.
Duration
- 42 weeks 1050 Hours
Program Type
- Diploma
Course Content
COURSE NAME | Hours |
Introduction to Child and Youth Care | 60 |
Child and Adolescent Development | 45 |
Introduction to Mental Health for Child and Youth Care | 60 |
Mental Health Literacy for Child and Youth Care | 45 |
Fundamentals of Case Management | 60 |
Issues, Ethics & Inclusivity in Child and Youth Care | 45 |
Record Keeping and Documentation | 60 |
Crisis Intervention Strategies | 60 |
At Risk Youth and Youth Justice | 45 |
Trauma-Informed Practices with Children and Adolescents | 60 |
Interviewing Skills | 60 |
Counselling Children and Adolescents | 60 |
Child and Youth Care Practice with Families | 45 |
Interventions with Children and Youth | 60 |
Advocacy and Welfare of Children and Adolescents | 45 |
CYC Practitioner Health Promotion Strategies | 60 |
Child and Youth Care Virtual Project | 170 |
Review and Final Exam | 10 |
Career Opportunities
By the end of the program, you’ll be prepared for roles such as:
- Child and Youth Worker
- Behavioral Support Worker
- Residential Counselor
- Community Outreach Worker
To learn more about program dates, tuition, and enrollment, contact Westlake College’s admissions team today.
Delivery Method
- Classroom (Instructor Led)
- Online
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Wonderlic SLE Score of 18
If English is not a student’s first language, they must provide proof of English competency.
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
- IELTS – Minimum score of 6.0 with no subject test score lower than 5.5 or
- TOEFL – Internet-based test (IBT) – Overall 80 with the minimum in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20 or
- CAEL: Overall, 60 No section below 60