Child and Youth Care

Not all children and youth receive the same opportunities and resources to succeed in life. In a world where inequities still exist, Humber’s Child and Youth Care advanced diploma program prepares you to promote the optimal development and care of children, youth and their families through a holistic lens. Students develop skills in assessing needs, advocacy, developing and facilitating programs, and creating safer spaces through the application of an equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging lens. Students will also learn how to use therapeutic activities and planned interventions to support and facilitate positive change and growth. In addition to three field experiences, the program provides knowledge in infant, child and adolescent development; child and youth care relational practice principles; family dynamics; evidence-based or evidence-informed intervention strategies; group dynamics; mental health and wellness; interviewing and counselling; cultural humility; relevant ethical and legislative practices, trauma-informed care and therapeutic activities.

You will learn that an essential component of professional practice is self-awareness with many courses emphasizing self-reflection and the classroom being a professional practice environment for skill development. Your desire to help and emotional maturity will help you meet the demands of working with children and youth with complex needs.

Our program is accredited by the Child and Youth Care Education and Accreditation Board of Canada and is delivered by award-winning faculty renowned in their field with current, relevant experience and advanced degrees. A key feature of the program is our therapeutic play lab fostering experiential learning.

Field experiences with established partnerships are a critical component of this program, and there is an exciting variety of innovative and traditional field experiences available in and around the Greater Toronto Area. Field experiences are arranged with the help of a Field Advisor and are typically unpaid. Students will experience a range of opportunities to work with our community partners serving children, youth and families. 

In Semester 3, the field experience is two days a week for fourteen weeks. In Semesters 5 and 6, the field experience is four days per week over the term. Alongside this experiential work, students will also complete coursework and attend a seminar class to enhance the learning of the field experience.

Important note: the preparation for your Field Experience starts one term prior to your Work Integrated term. To see what needs to be done before you start your Filed Experience, please review Progression Path infographic.  In the document, Month One refers to the first month of your pre-WIL term, Month Two refers to your second pre-WIL term, etc. For example, if your WIL term is scheduled for Winter term, Month One will be the first month of the Fall term, i.e. September.

For detailed information about your Work Integrated Learning processes see the FSCS Work Integrated Learning Handbook. Please also review our WIL Blackboard Site Overview video for more details.

Have any questions about your future or current Field Experience? Reach out to your program’s Field Experience Advisor at CYCplacement@humber.ca.

Through our Global Summer School opportunity, students can earn a GNED (General Elective Course) by studying abroad. Students can also collaborate with their field advisor to create a field experience opportunity abroad. There are additional costs to engage in these activities. 

With our program, you can enjoy the rewards of a career where you make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth by:

• building on strengths and capacities
• working collaboratively with young people, their families and other professionals
• developing therapeutic relationships and using relational practice
• seeking out and connecting children, youth and their families with relevant, culturally specific and appropriate community resources
• understanding and learning about the complex challenges faced by children, youth and families
• utilizing daily life events as opportunities to promote and facilitate positive change
• working as part of an inter-professional team

Our graduates enter a field with opportunities in a variety of settings including:

• Child protection agencies
• Community centres and community-based programs
• Early intervention and prevention programs
• Youth custody centres and justice support groups
• Parent education and family support
• Hospitals and clinical settings
• Residential and day treatment programs in children’s mental health centres
• School boards and school-based programs and school boards
• Youth and women’s shelters

Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC)

This program is recognized by the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC) . Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care. 

Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB)

Graduates may apply to be certified by the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (North America). 

Additional requirements may apply.

Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.