Access Support Worker (Counsellor 2(A))

About Us

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Supportive Housing and Homelessness, and the Disability Support Program (DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure.  We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

Access Support Workers help children and youth maintain safe contact with parents, family members, and other important people in their lives. The role includes transportation, supervised family access, support during appointments, observation, documentation, and communication with social workers.

This role is not just about driving clients to visits. You will work directly with children, youth, parents, and caregivers, sometimes during emotional, tense, or unpredictable situations. You may need to explain expectations, coach parent-child interactions, set clear limits, redirect behaviour, and intervene when safety or appropriate conduct becomes a concern.

You will often work independently. Success requires calm, professional communication, careful observation, sound judgement, appropriate boundaries, and the ability to follow established procedures while responding to the situation in front of you.

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, you will:

• Transport children, youth, and family members to and from family access visits, appointments, and other approved activities.
• Support the safety and wellbeing of children and youth while they are in your care.
• Supervise family interactions and remain attentive to verbal, non-verbal, and environmental cues.
• Support and coach appropriate parent-child interactions.
• Model respectful behaviour and communication.
• Set clear, professional boundaries and firmer limits when required.
• Recognize when a situation is escalating and intervene when necessary to address safety or inappropriate behaviour in accordance with established procedures.
• Seek direction or escalate concerns to the social worker, supervisor, or Manager.
• Observe and document observations with social workers to support case planning.
• Maintain transportation and mileage records.
• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, case conferences, and required training.
• Maintain confidential and sensitive client and case information. 
• Attend Family Court and provide evidence about your recorded observations when requested.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

You have completed an approved child and youth care worker diploma from a provincially approved post-secondary institution, or you have at least two years of related experience supporting children, youth, and/or families. Equivalent combinations of education, training and experience will be considered.

You must have a valid class 5 driver’s licence, the ability to travel, and access to a reliable, properly insured personal vehicle suitable for transporting infants and children.

Experience in child welfare or other social services, including daycare or youth services, is desirable.

You demonstrate the ability to:

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with children, youth, parents, caregivers, social workers, and service providers, including when conversations are sensitive or emotionally charged.
• Use sound judgement, remain calm in challenging situations and de-escalate challenging and complex situations.
• Build supportive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries, setting clear expectations and limits when needed.
• Listen actively and manage conflict constructively, balancing the needs of children and youth with safety, service expectations, and the circumstances of the family.
• Observe and document interactions to support case planning.
• Work independently and adapt to changing circumstances, while staying connected with supervisors, social workers, and colleagues.
• Work respectfully with diverse families, recognizing that communication styles, experiences, cultures, and family dynamics may differ.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• a completed diploma or bachelor’s degree in a related field such as early childhood education, social sciences, social work, child and youth studies, human services, or disability support services.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application. 

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Hours of work are between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. across a seven-day operation. Assignments may include weekdays, evenings, and weekends, and start and end times may vary.

You will spend a considerable amount of time driving your personal vehicle. Travel may occur in changing or adverse weather.

Work may take place in client homes, offices, vehicles, parks, playgrounds, and other community locations. You may work with children, youth, parents, or caregivers who are distressed or behaving in a challenging manner.

The role requires sustained attention while driving and while supervising family interactions. Some visits may be emotionally difficult, and you may hear about or witness circumstances involving trauma.

Physical activities may include lifting young children or car seats, carrying children’s belongings, using stairs, and walking for extended periods in community settings. You may also encounter common environmental or communicable concerns associated with work in private homes and community settings.

Additional Information

This is a TEMPORARY employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of May 31, 2027.  The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

An offer of employment is conditional upon satisfactory completion of background checks including a Child Abuse Register check, Criminal Records Check, Driver’s abstract, and ICM check. 

What We Offer

• Work that contributes directly to the safety and wellbeing of children, youth, and families.
• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, training tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in; we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• The opportunity to see the practical impact of your work.