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What does a Youth Care Worker do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A youth care worker is responsible for the care and supervision of young people in a variety of settings, including foster homes, group homes, residential treatment centers, and juvenile detention facilities. They work with children and adolescents who have emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorders. Youth care workers help these young people develop positive coping skills, manage their behaviors, and make progress in their treatment goals.

Youth Care Worker job duties include:

  • Establish and maintain rapport with residents
  • Help residents develop positive coping skills
  • Promote life skills development
  • Encourage positive social interaction
  • Assist with daily living activities
  • Monitor residents’ physical and emotional well-being
  • Transport residents to appointments and activities
  • Write progress reports on residents
  • Advocate for residents’ needs

Youth Care Worker Job Requirements

Most youth care workers have at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most states require workers to be certified. Certification requirements vary by state but typically include completing a certain number of hours of training and passing an exam. Some states also require youth care workers to have experience working with children or in a child welfare setting.

Youth Care Worker Skills

  • Patience
  • Active listening
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Conflict resolution
  • Creativity
  • Flexibility
  • Stress management
  • Physical stamina
  • First aid/CPR
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Child development
  • Adolescent development

Related: Top Youth Care Worker Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Youth Care Worker

There is no one formula for becoming a youth care worker, but there are some important steps that anyone interested in this field should take. First, it is important to get a degree in social work or a related field. This will give you the necessary skills and knowledge to work with youth in a variety of settings. Second, it is important to gain experience working with youth in either paid or volunteer positions. This will help you to better understand the challenges and rewards of working with this population. Finally, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest research and developments in the field of youth care work. This will ensure that you are able to provide the best possible care for the youth you work with.

Related: Youth Care Worker Resume Example

Related: Youth Care Worker Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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