Child and Youth Care
In the child and youth care program you’ll learn to support child, youth, family and community wellbeing.
Potential careers
What can you do with a child and youth care degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to your program:
- child protection worker
- youth justice services
- child or youth worker
- youth outreach worker
- family support worker
- mental health worker
- addictions counsellor
- school-based practitioner
- recreation leader
- adoptions worker
- residential support worker
- infant development
- agency administration
- intake worker
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the child and youth care program
- With the practicum you get real-world experience.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to child and youth care:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the child and youth care program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Co-op
CYC 495 - Advanced Honours Seminar in CYC Theory, Research and Practice
Work with clients and centres to identify and analyze issues within child and youth care practice
Course-based
CYC 230 - Introduction to CYC Practice in Indigenous Contexts
Uncover the impacts of colonization and understand your own personal location
CYC 240 - Ethical Decision-Making in Child and Youth Care Practice
Learn about ethical decision making by using critical thinking strategies
CYC 250 - Law, Indigenous People and the TRC Calls to Action
Visit a local court to explore the legal context of child and youth care
CYC 265 - Introduction to Group Work in Child and Youth Care Practice
Develop personal and professional approaches to ethical choice making
Field experience
CYC 350 - Applying Law in Child Protection and Child and Youth Care Practice
Practice interviewing skills for child protection work through video role play
CYC 481 - Assessment and Evaluation in Contemporary Early Years Settings
Connect with families or daycare centres to learn observation and assessment skills
Practicum
CYC 210A - Supervised Practicum l by Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
CYC 211 - Supervised Practicum I
Gain supervised work experience in a child and youth care setting
CYC 310 - Supervised Practicum II
Work under supervision with children or youth in a wide range of settings
CYC 311 - Supervised Block Practicum ll
Work directly with children and youth for 286 hours in a 4-month, supervised practicum
CYC 410 - Advanced Supervised Practicum
Use decolonizing practice, case planning, intervention and evaluation skills
Professional and technical skill development
CYC 152 - Introduction to Helping Skills in Child and Youth Care Practice
Gain foundational helping skills through videotaping and peer counselling
CYC 240 - Ethical Decision-Making in Child and Youth Care Practice
Develop personal and professional approaches to ethical choice making
CYC 370 - Applying Assessment and Case Planning in Child and Youth Care Practice
Plan and assess cases and apply change theory in a lab learning setting
CYC 475 - Advanced Child and Youth Care Practice with Families and Groups
Practice child and youth care techniques by role-playing families and groups
Research project
CYC 495 - Advanced Honours Seminar in CYC Theory, Research and Practice
Research and analyze issues within child and youth care practice
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the child and youth care program.
General skills
- do case assessment and case management
- do risk assessment (suicide, sexual abuse and family violence assessment)
- plan and develop programs
- use therapeutic and crisis interventions
- counsel and communicate
- use a developmental and culturally appropriate practice
- think critically and make ethical decisions
Knowledge
- use developmental and planned change theories from diverse worldviews and traditions to analyze human behaviour
- understand issues such as substance use, developmental differences, legal contexts, family violence, child abuse and neglect, etc.
Abilities you’ll gain
- provide services and support to children, youth, families, groups and communities
- develop service plans and supportive strategies for children, youths, families or communities
- take part in a variety of therapeutic activities
- use advanced clinical and communication skills to support individuals, families, groups and communities
- use professional communication, reporting and presentation skills