Child and Youth Care

Overview

As a Child and Youth Care Practitioner, you help design recreational, therapeutic and social programs for children and youth impacted by developmental trauma. Often, as part of a team, you develop and deliver programs and interventions that lead to positive change in young people (age 6 to 25 years old) who emotionally and physically act out. You provide in-the-moment life experience to discover and develop strengths.

Child and Youth Care Practitioners engage with children, youth and their families, often in 24/7 environments, assisting them in developing capacities to build their resilience and relationship skills.

Work experience

• Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom.
  • You are interviewed with a placement agency as a pre-placement screening process.
  • Opportunities are typically unpaid and last approximately 5 weeks.
• Transportation, accommodations and other costs related to work experience courses are your responsibility.
• For more information, visit work experience opportunities.
• International students - all international students require a co-op work permit; you can't complete your NSCC program without one. This program also requires a medical exam to receive your co-op work permit. View co-op work permit - medical exam details.

Choose NSCC

• To work in this area, you must have a diploma from a recognized child and youth care program or an undergraduate degree in human services. NSCC's Child and Youth Care program meets this standard.
• Graduates of this program are eligible to become Certified Child and Youth Care Practitioners and members of the Nova Scotia Child and Youth Care Workers' Association.
• Blended program offers learning both in class and online. Opportunity to learn online builds skillset in navigating and facilitating in virtual learning spaces.
• You learn from faculty who bring real-world experience to the classroom.
• You experience hands-on, practical learning, where you apply your skills and knowledge to real projects and work experiences.
• Small class sizes enable you to be very involved in your learning and make the most of your class time.

Other info

• Shift work is an integral part of this occupation. Physical demands include 12-hour shifts in a 24-hour work environment, as well as spending long periods actively engaged with young people, participating in and facilitating recreation and therapeutic programming.
• Effective written and oral communication skills will be emphasized throughout your work placement and employment experiences.
• This program contains 700+ hours of field experience (practicum) as part of course requirements and requires a flexible schedule during work experience. 
• It’s important to have a working laptop for this program. Please review our technology requirements page. A valid Class 5 driver's license is required for some employment locations.

Before applying for this program, it’s important you review the self-assessment statements below and can answer yes to the following:  

• I understand that this is an intensive 2-year program that requires a considerable time commitment each week, often outside of the regularly scheduled classes.
• I understand the Child and Youth Care program will require me to reflect on my own growing up, family, and life experiences and could potentially cause an emotional response through this self-awareness process.  
• I understand the Child and Youth Care profession involves working with individuals who have experienced developmental trauma and may involve working with individuals in crisis and experiencing potentially traumatic experiences. 
• I understand this course will require me to demonstrate oral communication skills as a program facilitator and advocate in a public forum to prepare me for practice. 
• I understand that much of this course is facilitated and assessed using case studies and projects. 
• I understand that it will not be possible to succeed in the Child and Youth Care program without learning about and engaging in group work with my classmates and that this is a significant component of practice in the field. 
• I understand the Child and Youth Care program is delivered in a blended format (combination of in-person and online classes) intentionally to support future practitioners' ability to engage in the digital life space. 
• I understand that Child and Youth Care practitioners need to be physically active and might participate in and facilitate activities with children for a full 12-hour shift.  
• I understand Child and Youth Care practitioners are often required on a 24-hour basis. As a result, many positions require shift work (evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays). 
• I understand that Child and Youth Care program will require me to incorporate feedback from faculty as part of my learning about the level of professionalism expected when working in the field.

September 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Ivany Campus Dartmouth	Full time	Blended Delivered through a combination of online and in-person classes. At least 50% of learning is in-person.	Seats available
Truro Campus Truro	Full time	Blended Delivered through a combination of online and in-person classes. At least 50% of learning is in-person.	Seats available

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.
  • International students – High school diploma equivalency and English language requirements vary by country. View document and language requirements by country

Program requirements

• A current, official criminal record check and vulnerable sector check are required to complete work placements in many programs. A conviction may impact your ability to complete program requirements.
• All programs in Health and Human Services require First Aid/CPR as a graduation requirement. For specific program requirements, view additional Health and Human Services program requirements
• Many Health and Human Services programs have additional requirements, including immunizations. You must submit proof that you've completed these requirements by the date provided to you at the beginning of your program. View additional Health and Human Services program requirements
  • Receiving immunizations may take up to 10 months to complete.
  • Failure to complete immunizations can result in a delayed work placement, which will impact your ability to complete program and graduation requirements.
• Food Handlers Course
• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition

Tuition amounts are for the 2024-25 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Child and Youth Care - Year 1
• Child and Youth Care - Year 2

Career options

• Graduates are eligible for employment in 24/7 child and youth caring organizations licensed by the Department of Community Services and in school-based settings that offer Schools Plus and have Child and Youth Care Practitioners
• Graduates work in therapeutic treatment centres, hospitals, schools and programs for children, youth and families who have been impacted by trauma and have yet to discover healthy ways to cope.
• Graduates may work with child welfare agencies.
• Graduates may also find employment within school-based child and youth care positions, or employment in a variety of community organizations across Canada.

Future study options

• Continue your studies at university – this program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Learn more about having your diploma count towards a university degree

Courses may include

These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.

Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.

CYCP 1001 - Introduction to Psychology for Child and Youth Care Practice
Students will develop foundational knowledge to understand human behaviour and learning. Domains of inquiry will be examined to understand various theoretical perspectives, the process of research, and how these relate to learning and behaviour.

CYCP 1003 - Child and Youth Care Practice Milieu I
This course is designed to provide a forum for experiential and theoretical learning on contemporary Child and Youth Care issues, as they affect the practice of Child and Youth Care. It may include various types of activities, presentations, seminars and field trips to enable exploration of Child and Youth Care in the Nova Scotia context. In this course learners will have the opportunity to explore the multitude of Child and Youth Care practice environments.

CYCP 1005 - Writing Skills for Child and Youth Care Practitioners I
Communicating with transparency, accountability and integrity are core values connected to providing service for children and youth. Students develop their skills for effective written communication which are a necessary component for success in the Child and Youth Care environment.

CYCP 1008 - Introduction to Child and Youth Care Professional Practice
This course introduces students to the concept of self as one of the critical components of being a Child and Youth Care worker. The course allows the student to examine and understand how their personal knowledge and skills are relevant, how the knowledge of self will be integrated into what the learner already knows and how the skills for knowing and changing self will be evidenced in their relational Child and Youth Care practice. Components of this course provide students an opportunity to experience various Child and Youth Care contexts. This course is not eligible for supplemental exams or assignments.

CYCP 1012 - Teamwork for Relational Child and Youth Care Practice
Students explore the importance of how our interpersonal relationships and communication practices can influence in a teamwork environment. Interpersonal communication and teamwork concepts are introduced theoretically and opportunity for practice in a lab/classroom setting is provided.

CYCP 1013 - Child and Youth Care Practice Milieu II
This course provides a forum for experiential and theoretical learning on contemporary Child and Youth Care issues, as they affect the practice of Child and Youth Care. It may include various types of activities, presentations, seminars and field trips to enable exploration of Child and Youth Care in the Nova Scotia context. In this course students will have the opportunity to explore the multitude of Child and Youth Care practice environments.

CYCP 1015 - Writing Skills for Child and Youth Care Practitioners II
Students have the opportunity to apply skills developed in CYCP 1005. Applications include preparing documents that serve as records in the Child and Youth Care field, collecting and clearly presenting information specific to the needs of an audience, and composing documents for employment that are accurate and appealing. In addition to standard written and electronic communication formats, the uses of Facebook, email, Twitter, blogging and texting written communication are necessary components for Child and Youth Care practitioners.

CYCP 1018 - Introduction to Today’s Society within Child and Youth Care Practice
Students will focus on the major sociological concepts and theoretical perspectives relevant to Child and Youth Care practice. An examination of children and youth in contemporary society, where young people are viewed within a sociological framework, and the relationship of youth culture and society at large is explored.

CYCP 1019 - Child and Youth Care Professional Development
Presenting as a professional Child and Youth Care practitioner is demanding and often challenging in a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary context. Students have the opportunity to explore elements of professional presentation including employability skills outlined by the Conference Board of Canada. This course also offers students the opportunity to begin development of professional competencies as outlined by the Child and Youth Care Certification Board. Students will also use the profession's Standards for Practice to develop strategies for problem solving dilemmas which can arise in their field.

CYCP 1020 - Child and Youth Care Relational Communication II
This course provides the framework for the relational application and practice of basic counselling skills within a Child and Youth Care context. This course is not eligible for supplemental exams or assignments.

CYCP 1050 - Child and Youth Care Practicum Orientation
Students are provided an introduction to a Child and Youth Care work environment through a placement opportunity. Students will have the opportunity to shadow a Child and Youth Care practitioner through the routines of their day which may include shift work (24 hour availability / weekends).

CYCP 1055 - Child and Youth Care Practicum Seminar
This seminar course involves external certifications that are necessary for employment in the Child and Youth Care field. The delivery of these certifications will also serve as context for debriefing CYCP 1050.

CYCP 2000 - Child and Youth Care Methodology
This course is designed to develop the student's intellectual skills, specifically the scientific and critical rigor necessary for working with youth and/or families who are, or were, in care or who have been identified as at risk of being in care. The consequences of intervention and professional issues as they relate to children at risk or in care will also be examined.

CYCP 2004 - Group Facilitation for Child and Youth Care Practice
Students are encouraged to reflect upon and integrate experiential learning from their practicum placements to date as a means of developing their own professional practice model. Students will develop group work practices appropriate for Child and Youth Care practitioners functioning on a multidisciplinary team.

CYCP 2006 - Developmental Psychology for Child and Youth Care Practice
Students are provided the opportunity to explore the typical growth and development patterns of individuals from conception, through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood. Emphasis is placed on the physical, cognitive, emotional and social aspects of this development.

CYCP 2008 - Child and Youth Care Interventions
This course offers students the opportunity to integrate various practice theories in the Child and Youth Care program into their practice context. Students will explore, in depth, the process of establishing goals with young people and families within an integrated case management approach to support change as well as the process of Child and Youth Care intervention in application.

CYCP 2009 - Child and Youth Care Applied Relational Communication I
This course provides learners the opportunity to develop micro skills in interpersonal and therapeutic communication while enhancing skills developed in previous relational communication courses. These skills will be applied in both a Child and Youth Care intervention framework and case management plan to support effective change. Learners will utilize a therapeutic framework to explore, in depth, the process of using therapeutic communication in intervention to support change as outlined in a case management plan.

CYCP 2015 - Writing Skills for Child and Youth Care Practitioners III
Effective written and presentation skills are necessary for success as a Child and Youth Care worker. Most work must be documented in logs, observations must be clearly recorded, and for legal liability reasons it is paramount that incident reports communicate specifically what happened in an unambiguous manner. This course is designed to build on the student's already existing skills and develop competence.

CYCP 2017 - Child and Youth Care Practitioner Identity Development
In this course, students prepare an individually designed presentation that represents their journey as a Child and Youth Care learner. Students will debrief on the material covered and discuss, analyze, and consolidate experiences with a view to documenting their learning journey through the portfolio process. This course is not eligible for supplemental exams or assignments.

CYCP 2018 - Child and Youth Care Professional Practice Seminar
Students are guided as they examine various pieces of legislation and agency policy and procedure while consolidating their practical experience and their theoretical learning to develop a framework for practice in both small groups and one-on-one supervision with faculty. This course is not eligible for supplemental exams or assignments.

CYCP 2020 - Child and Youth Care Applied Relational Communication II
This practical course incorporates practicums and CYCP 2009 to assist the student in reaching a higher developmental level of skills in observation, interviewing, and assessment. The focus is on the therapeutic milieu, child and youth caring 24/7 environments, conflict resolution, and child management approaches. This course is not eligible for supplemental exams or assignments.

CYCP 2025 - Writing Skills for Child and Youth Care Practitioners IV
Using forms and processes encountered during placements, students will build on existing writing skills. Students will demonstrate competence and best practices consistent with expectations within the Child and Youth Care field.

CYCP 2027 - Working with Family: A Child and Youth Care Approach
Students are given the opportunity to explore and apply theory and research regarding working with families from a Child and Youth Care perspective. The premise of contemporary Child and Youth Care is that the family is always present, and therefore all practitioners need an understanding of family systems, child and youth care intervention in a family context, and the opportunity to examine their own family experiences.

CYCP 2050 - Practicum I
This course provides students with a beginning practice experience in a Child and Youth Care practice environment. Students will become familiar with agency policies; program; staff; learn agency norms; observe work carried out by staff; and begin to do some work on their own. Students will develop a personal learning contract by the conclusion of this course to support their continued learning about Child and Youth Care practice. Students must complete placement in a both a community and a 24/7 care environment milieu prior to completing CYCP 3050.

CYCP 2055 - Practicum III
This course is designed primarily as the work phase where learning and evaluation is done. Students will demonstrate observation, assessment, and program planning and evaluation of therapeutic and activity programming within the context of therapeutic relationship with children and youth who have complex needs and are experiencing difficulties in their life. The emphasis of this course is on the development of helping relationships and a focus on group/team dynamics, intervention with young people and therapeutic and activity program development. Practicum occurs in 24/7, community-based treatment programs. Students are expected to perform a significant role within their placement organizations. Prior to the termination of this practicum, students will participate in a joint supervision session with their field supervisor and instructor to critically examine their practicum and to discuss how they may use their experiences in continuing in their learning in CYCP 3050.

CYCP 2065 - Practicum II
Students are provided the opportunity to begin to apply their developing Child and Youth Care skills in a community, school based or 24/7 Child and Youth Care practice environment. It is expected that students will move beyond observation and have opportunity to begin engaging with the children, young people, and families who are participating in the program. By the conclusion of this placement students will develop individual learning goals to be implemented during their internship placement. Students must complete placement in a both a community and a 24/7 Child and Youth Care practice environment milieu prior to completing CYCP 3050.

CYCP 3000 - Child and Youth Care Therapeutic Activity Programming
This course is an opportunity for students to develop and implement intentional developmentally appropriate therapeutic activities that meet youth where they are at and supports their skill development.

CYCP 3050 - Practicum IV
This course is designed primarily as the work phase where learning and evaluation is done. Students will demonstrate observation, assessment, and program planning and evaluation of therapeutic and activity programming within the context of therapeutic relationship with children and youth who have complex needs and are experiencing difficulties in their life. The focus of this course is on understanding the complexities of the helping relationships and intervention with young people and therapeutic and activity program implementation and evaluation. Practicum occurs in 24/7, community-based treatment programs. Students are expected to perform a significant role within their placement organizations. Prior to the termination of this practicum, students will participate in a joint supervision session with their field supervisor and instructor to critically examine their practicum and to discuss how students may use their experiences in continuing in their learning as Child and Youth Care practitioners.

SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.

SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.