School Age Support Worker
BGC Central Vancouver Island is seeking an empathetic, skilled, and dedicated School Age Support Worker (SASW) to join our team in Parksville. In this role, you will use your knowledge of child development and positive behavior support to help children with unique needs fully integrate, play, and thrive alongside their peers.
What’s in it for you?
- Wage: $23.50 - $25.00 per hour (ineligible for ECE Wage Enhancement)
- Hours: Part-Time Contract, Monday - Friday (Shifts scheduled between 7:00am and 5:30pm). Additional hours may be available during non-instructional days.
- Location: Parksville, BC.
- This position is dependent upon Supported Child Development funding. Continued employment in this position is subject to the continuation and availability of this funding.
About the Role
The School Age Support Worker (SASW) supports the inclusion, participation, and belonging of children with additional support needs within a school-age program. The position provides individualized support while contributing to an inclusive, safe, and supportive program environment where all children have opportunities to participate meaningfully.
The role requires a strong understanding of middle childhood development, age-appropriate communication strategies, peer mediation, social-emotional development, emotional regulation, and positive behaviour support. The SASW supports children to participate in program activities and routines while developing independence, life skills, social skills, and self-regulation.
The SASW provides individualized care, guidance, and support based on the strengths and identified needs of each child and in accordance with established support and/or safety plans. Children supported may have diverse developmental, behavioural, communication, social-emotional, or other support needs. The SASW works collaboratively with the program team to promote inclusion and provides consistency through responsive relationships, predictable routines, clear expectations, environmental adaptations, and positive behaviour support strategies.
Duties and Responsibilities
Program Planning and Implementation:
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Support the inclusion, participation, and belonging of children with additional support needs within the overall school-age program.
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Support children in developing daily living skills, social-emotional skills, communication, conflict resolution, independence, and self-regulation using developmentally appropriate and positive support strategies.
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Implement individualized strategies and accommodations identified in support and/or safety plans, which may include visual supports, assistive technology, sensory or self-regulation tools, environmental adaptations, and communication strategies.
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Support all children within the program and contribute to a high-quality inclusive environment, while providing individualized support based on identified needs and established plans.
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Observe and respond to children's individual strengths, needs, and progress, adapting activities, routines, and approaches within established plans to promote successful participation.
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Recognize and respond appropriately to situations that may pose a risk to the safety or well-being of a child, peers, staff, or others, following established support plans, safety procedures, and organizational protocols.
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Administer medication in accordance with Child Care Licensing requirements, established care plans, and organizational policies and procedures.
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Support children's physical and emotional well-being while promoting dignity, choice, independence, and developmentally appropriate autonomy.
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Follow all applicable Child Care Licensing requirements and organizational policies, procedures, and safety practices.
Administration and Collaboration:
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Contribute to the development and review of individualized support, behaviour support, medical, and/or safety plans in collaboration with program leadership, families, and relevant professionals, as appropriate.
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Implement established plans consistently and provide observations and feedback to support ongoing review and adjustment.
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Monitor and document relevant observations, progress, strategies, and outcomes, and communicate appropriate information to program staff, families and the care team.
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Complete required documentation, including daily records, progress notes, incident reports, injury reports, and other records accurately and within required timelines.
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Participate actively in team meetings, planning discussions, and communication necessary to support consistent and inclusive practice.
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Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with children, families, program staff, school personnel, community agencies, and other professionals involved in supporting the child, as appropriate.
Qualifications
Education
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Community Support Worker (CSW) Certificate, Child and Youth Care (CYC) Diploma/Degree, or Behavioral Interventionist (BI) training preferred (an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered).
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Valid First Aid/CPR certificate approved by Community Care Facilities Licensing.
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A criminal record check will be conducted; no applicable convictions will be permitted.
Experience - Preferred
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Experience working in a licensed school-age care facility, out-of-school care (OSC) program, or youth center preferred.
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Demonstrated experience working with school-age children (ages 5–12+) who have diverse physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral support needs.
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Experience engaging with culturally diverse populations and addressing unique community needs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
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Fire Extinguisher Training
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Well-developed oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
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Knowledge of Early Childhood Development
Working Conditions
- This position will be exposed to a high level of noise and distractions from children. Direct delivery may include moderate physical activity involving walking, standing, bending and lifting children. Participation at meetings, conferences, and other events may be required.
