Child Support Assistant

The Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is a specialized agency with the responsibility for the care and protection of children, especially those who are at risk or have been victims of abuse or neglect.

The Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is seeking to recruit for Child Support Assistant, on contract.

The Child Support Assistant (CSA) play a pivotal role as the primary caregiver and protector for children under the care and protection of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (CATT). With a focus on the safety, well-being, and holistic development of each child, the CSA nurtures, supervise and foster a positive and meaningful relationship with children within the CATT community. They serve as a compassionate advocate, ensuring that each child's unique needs are met with sensitivity and care, while also collaborating closely with other team members to create a supportive environment that promotes the child's overall growth and development.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An Associate Degree in a Social Science (Social Work, Psychology, etc.) or related field.
• Conflict/Crisis/De-escalation Management
• Current Food Badge
• Child Protection and Safeguarding Certification will be considered an asset
• Valid CPR and First Aid Certification will be an asset
• Fluency in Spanish will be an asset
• Three (3) years’ experience working with children (engaging children and/or teenagers) preferably within a residential care setting for children with mental health and trauma-related challenges.
• Experience dealing with at risk youths and challenging teens.
• Experience with abuse, trauma and trauma informed care will be considered an asset.

Principal Accountabilities/ Key Functions:

• Provide compassionate care and support to children with mental health and behavioral challenges, addressing their unique needs with sensitivity and understanding. 

• Ensure that the children’s personal hygiene, care and safety needs are taken care of.  This would include grooming, nutrition and basic psychosocial needs such as positive love and affection, ethical and moral values, hope, confidence and self-worth.
• Identify changing needs and conditions (inclusive of negative effects of the environment) of the children, notifying the respective House Co-Ordinator of any signs of any emotional, physical or developmental issues via the established medium.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation support as needed, utilizing trauma-informed techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of all children. 
• Serve meals and snacks and supervise and assist with homework and revision as required.
• Work closely with the Psychologist and House Co-Ordinator to develop and facilitate appropriate daily activities to support children’s need for play/recreation, continuous learning, and physical exercise.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement strategies for managing challenging behaviors and promoting positive outcomes for children within the Authority’s care.
• Accompany children during security searches and appointments with parents, doctors, school etc.
• Administer First Aid, routine tests (blood-pressure, blood-sugar) and CPR as required.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records, prepare critical incident reports and handover documentation of important activities/occurrences.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the House Coordinator or Team Lead.

The Authority would like to thank all applicants for their interests, however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: December 24, 2024