Direct Care Practitioner

Direct Care Practitioner (DCP)

Position Overview

Parallel Advantage Service Solutions (PASS) is seeking Direct Care Practitioners to provide high‑quality, person‑centred out-of-home care and community supports to children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities, mental health needs and complex support needs in staffed out-of-home care settings and community environments.

Direct Care Practitioners deliver day‑to‑day care, supervision, skill development and behaviour support within a trauma‑informed, rights‑respecting and least‑restrictive framework aligned with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Care and Support

• Provide direct care and support to children, youth and adults with diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, developmental disability, mental health disorders and/or dual diagnosis, in staffed out-of-home care homes and community settings
• Implement person‑centred Individual Support Plans (ISP), Behaviour Support Plans (BSP) and Plans of Care, using evidence‑based strategies (e.g., ABA‑informed teaching, skills training, coaching) as directed by clinical/behavioural teams or supervisors
• Support activities of daily living, including personal care, hygiene, nutrition, medication prompts as per agency policy, and participation in household routines, in a manner that maximizes dignity, independence and choice

Skill Development and Therapeutic Support

• Facilitate skill building in areas such as emotional regulation, communication, social skills, community participation, safety awareness and life skills to enhance community inclusion and quality of life
• Build safe, trusting, professional relationships with individuals through therapeutic interactions, positive role modelling and consistent, predictable caregiving
• Use strength‑based, trauma‑informed and client‑centred approaches to support individuals in crisis, including the use of least intrusive intervention and approved de‑escalation strategies
• Participate in mandatory training on any physical intervention methods before use, in line with CYFSA requirements

Documentation and Risk Management

• Monitor and document health, safety and risk indicators (e.g., changes in behaviour, signs of distress, self‑harm risk), follow agency risk‑management and serious occurrence reporting procedures and escalate concerns promptly to supervisors
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation including shift notes, incident reports, medication‑related records, ISP/BSP progress notes, serious occurrence documentation and communication logs in accordance with MCCSS and agency standards

Collaboration and Compliance

• Collaborate and participate in multidisciplinary meetings with families, educators, clinicians, case managers and community partners to coordinate services and support transitions across out-of-home care, educational and community settings
• Adhere to Parallel policies and procedures, MCCSS guidelines, CYFSA and related regulations, including standards related to out‑of‑home care, privacy/confidentiality (Part X CYFSA), health and safety, and client rights
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, culturally responsive environment that respects diversity, anti‑oppressive practice and the rights and voice of children, youth and adults in service

Core Competencies

• Strong commitment to person‑centred, strengths‑based, trauma‑informed and least‑restrictive practice in out-of-home care and community support settings
• Critical thinking and sound judgment in dynamic situations, including the ability to assess risk and implement appropriate safety and crisis‑prevention strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including clear documentation and professional communication with families, colleagues and community partners
• Demonstrated ability to build therapeutic rapport, set and maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and support individuals to exercise their rights and participate in decisions about their care
• Adaptability, resilience and capacity to work effectively in a 24/7 out-of-home care environment, including days, evenings, weekends, holidays and awake‑overnight shifts as required
• Cultural humility, respect for diversity and commitment to equity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery

Qualifications

Education

• Diploma or degree in Child and Youth Care, Developmental Services Worker, Social Service Worker, Behavioural Science, Psychology or a related human services field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of experience providing direct support to children, youth and/or adults with developmental disabilities, ASD, mental health needs or complex needs in out-ofhome care, community or school‑based services
• Experience in CYFSA‑licensed or MCCSS‑funded settings is an asset

Certifications and Clearances

• Current Broad Record Check within the last 6 months
• Current Standard First Aid and CPR Level C
• Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention or equivalent crisis‑intervention training preferred or willingness to obtain
• Medical Certificate to support ability to meet physical demands of the role
• Valid Ontario G or G2 driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle may be required depending on program needs
• Professional liability insurance to the level required by Parallel's policy where applicable