WHO WE ARE

Victim Services Toronto (VST) provides trauma-informed support and advocacy in the moment for any person in Toronto who has experienced crime or sudden tragedy. Beyond immediate support, VST is committed to preventing violence through proactive community engagement initiatives. Our vision is to cultivate a thriving community where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered. Guided by core values of survivorship, adaptability, presence, innovation, and advocacy, VST strives to stand alongside those in need. We are dedicated to fostering a safer environment for all Toronto residents, ensuring that vulnerable individuals and communities receive the support they require.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Title: Child and Youth Court Support Specialist

Department: Court Support Program

Employment Status: Full-Time, Permanent  

Reports To: Director of Court Programs 

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Direct Reports: None

Salary: $57,000 – $60,000+ per annum, commensurate with experience

Number of Positions Open: 1

Closing Date: Applications will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EDT) on Thursday, October 8th, 2026

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 40 hours per week

Victim Services Toronto is seeking a highly skilled and compassionate professional to serve as the Child and Youth Court Support Specialist. The Court Support Program is designed to support children and youth (ages 3 to 25) through dedicated court preparation, navigation, and accompaniment throughout the criminal justice process.

Reporting directly to the Director of Court Programs, the Child and Youth Court Support Specialist serves as the primary point of contact and frontline support for young survivors participating in the criminal justice process. The Child and Youth Court Support Specialist is responsible for developing individualized service plans, coordinating referrals, providing direct case management support, and helping young survivors navigate complex systems during their involvement in criminal court proceedings. Working closely with the Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP), Toronto Police Service (TPS), Crown Attorneys, and other key community partners across the Greater Toronto Area, the Specialist helps promote safety, stability, healing, and access to appropriate supports for young survivors and their families.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

CLINICAL CASE MANAGEMENT AND JUSTICE NAVIGATION 

• Receive, screen, and process court support referrals from justice and community partners
• Provide tailored, individual court preparation sessions for children and youth (ages 3 to 25) who are required to testify as victims/witnesses in criminal court proceedings
• Attend Crown meetings to ensure the child or youth is centered; this includes explaining legal processes in a developmentally appropriate manner, facilitating review of their videotaped police statements, and advocating for appropriate testimonial aids
• Provide direct court accompaniment to support children and youth as they testify in preliminarily hearings and trials regarding their experiences of abuse
• Support children and youth in completing Victim Impact Statements where applicable
• Deliver compassionate, non-judgmental, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed support to mitigate the emotional impacts of court involvement
• Develop individualized post-court stabilization and service plans to support recovery, healing, and long-term wellbeing following involvement in the justice system; including making referrals to VST’s Post-Court Pathways program
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and client-centred environment that honours youth agency and maintains healthy professional boundaries

SECONDARY TRAUMA DOG HANDLER  

• Serve as the designated secondary handler for VST’s trauma dog, specifically managing and fulfilling requests for the trauma dog's deployment to support child and youth victims during court preparation sessions, Crown meetings, and court testimony
• Assume temporary care and physical custody of the trauma dog, including transporting the dog to and from court appointments and providing overnight or weekend care when required for court or operational scheduling
• Assess client suitability, safety, and comfort levels prior to introducing the trauma dog within court preparation, support, or testimony settings
• Facilitate and monitor interactions between the trauma dog and young clients during court proceedings to promote emotional regulation and comfort
• Monitor the trauma dog's wellbeing during deployments and proactively respond to signs of stress, fatigue, or overwhelm
• Maintain the dog's working readiness during periods of care, including basic grooming, exercise, enrichment, and upkeep of associated equipment and supplies
• Comply with all agency and Toronto Police Service (TPS) policies, procedures, and safety protocols related to trauma dog handling and care
• Document and report operational, behavioural, or health-related concerns regarding the trauma dog or Court Support Program to the Program Director 

MULTI-SECTOR COLLABORATION AND CONTINUUM OF CARE 

• Liaise closely with VST staff, law enforcement, Crown attorneys, Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) staff, and other justice-sector professionals to ensure coordinated advocacy and support throughout the criminal court process
• Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with community-based mental health providers, child advocacy centres, and social service agencies to strengthen the post-court continuum of care
• Connect young survivors and their families to multidisciplinary resources, including specialized counselling, housing supports, educational resources, and community-based services
• Participate in community outreach and partnership-building activities that strengthen referral pathways and improve access to services for young survivors 

RESEARCH, SYSTEMS ADVOCACY, AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING 

• Monitor and evaluate emerging research, literature, sector developments, and evidence-based approaches related to child and youth victimization, court trauma, and post-court recovery to integrate findings into active service delivery
• Identify systemic barriers, service gaps, and emerging trends affecting young victims and witnesses, providing actionable recommendations to the Program Director to strengthen supports and improve client outcomes
• Contribute frontline clinical expertise and service trends to help shape public awareness campaigns, policy development, public education initiatives, and legislative action focused on improving youth justice processes
• Assist the Program Director in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting program and demographic data to evaluate service effectiveness, track KPIs, and monitor the implementation of best practices
• Prepare clear reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other knowledge-sharing resources regarding court support needs for community partners, funders, government stakeholders, and professional audiences 

DOCUMENTATION, RECORDS MANAGEMENT, AND CLIENT SAFETY 

• Maintain accurate, timely, and ethical clinical case notes and client records in accordance with agency policies, professional standards, and confidentiality requirements
• Log trauma dog deployments, care activities, and related documentation accurately and in a timely manner
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments and dynamic safety planning with children, youth and families navigating the criminal justice system
• Ensure all frontline practices, documentation, and service delivery activities align with relevant legislation, ethical standards, and agency policies
• Support the Program Director in monitoring service quality, evaluating client outcomes, and implementing continuous quality improvement initiatives

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

MUST-HAVE’S  

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Child and Youth Care, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related field (such as Counseling Psychology, Trauma Studies, Justice Studies, Human Services, or Mental Health). However, candidates with an equivalent combination of education, specialized training, and extensive, relevant front-line experience may be considered in lieu of the stated education requirements

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience working directly with children and youth

• Demonstrated knowledge of Canada’s criminal justice system, including testimonial aids available to children and youth during criminal court proceedings under Section 486 of the Criminal Code of Canada

• Thorough understanding of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, 2015 and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), 2017, with the ability to navigate complex statutory frameworks, recognize violations of victims' rights, and ensure service delivery aligns with legislative mandates for child protection and equity

• Knowledge of the unique emotional, developmental, and psychological impacts of court involvement and testimony on children and youth, with an understanding of how to mitigate the stressors of the court process from initial preparation through to post-court stabilization

• Deep understanding of child and youth victimization, gender-based violence, and the unique needs of young survivors of physical abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, or exploitation, including how these experiences can impact adolescent development and familial dynamics

• Advanced understanding and demonstrated application of anti-oppressive, anti-racist, decolonial, and intersectional frameworks, with the ability to identify systemic barriers impacting children and youth from equity-deserving communities involved in the justice system and integrate this lens into frontline support, research, advocacy, and service delivery

• Demonstrated experience collaborating directly with justice-sector professionals and/or community-based agencies to coordinate client support and navigate complex multi-sectoral systems

• Strong crisis intervention, safety planning, and trauma-informed clinical skills, with a proven ability to ground high-acuity youth and families, and build deep trust

• Practical experience caring for, handling, and interacting confidently with dogs in a professional or personal capacity, including an understanding of canine behaviour, wellbeing, and safety

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare case documentation, reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other communications for internal and external stakeholders

• Strong ability to maintain professional boundaries and exercise sound judgment across all aspects of the role, including interactions with clients, colleagues, and external partners

• Ability to bring the trauma dog home overnight and/or on weekends as required by the program's operational court schedule, ensuring a safe, stable home environment for the dog during periods of care

• Ability to successfully complete the agency’s Trauma Dog Handler training program, followed by certification through the Toronto Police Service (TPS) Police Dog Services Unit, including all required competency assessments and performance benchmarks, within a timeframe established by the agency

• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), and virtual collaboration platforms (MS Teams, Webex, Zoom); ability to independently manage digital workflows and troubleshoot minor technical issues to ensure seamless, uninterrupted service delivery

• A full, valid G-level driver’s license in good standing, and comfortable driving in urban areas, city streets, and on highways. Must be willing and able to safely transport the trauma dog as required

• Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, either as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or with a valid Canadian work permit

NICE-TO-HAVE’S  

• Experience contributing to policy, advocacy, public education, or systems-change initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children, youth, victims, or other vulnerable populations

• Demonstrated experience conducting research, reviewing literature, or synthesizing evidence related to child and youth victimization, trauma, criminal justice involvement, or victim services, and translating findings into practical recommendations, reports, presentations, or service improvements

• Registration or eligibility for registration with a relevant provincial regulatory body is an asset, such as the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), or the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)

• Advanced training or certification in trauma treatment modalities relevant to children and youth, such as TF-CBT, EMDR, DBT, CPT, play therapy, attachment-based approaches, or other evidence-informed interventions

• Prior experience participating in program evaluation, data collection, or applied research projects related to the criminal justice system, victim advocacy, or trauma-informed care

• Fluency in a second language, particularly languages commonly spoken in Toronto’s diverse communities (i.e., French, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Somali, Tagalog, etc.), is considered an asset for communicating effectively with staff, clients, and community stakeholders

• Lived experience with human trafficking, gun violence, or other sudden tragedy or crime, as well as lived experience within equity-deserving communities including Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, people with disabilities, women, and gender and sexually diverse communities, is considered an asset

OUR EQUITY COMMITMENT

Victim Services Toronto is an equal opportunity employer committed to anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to embed these principles across our operations, policies, and hiring practices, and to foster an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, particularly those from historically and currently underrepresented groups. This includes Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, people with disabilities, women, and gender and sexually diverse communities, as well as those with relevant lived experience to our work. If you have lived or life experience that you believe would be valuable in this role, please be sure to highlight it in your application. To read our full equity statement, please click here.

We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation at any stage of the recruitment and selection process, please email us so we can work with you to meet your needs.

OUR LOCATION

This position is based in person at Toronto Police Service Headquarters (40 College Street, Toronto) and requires regular attendance at the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, and other justice-sector and community partner locations throughout Toronto. We recognize that applicants, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, racialized communities, with lived experiences and other equity-deserving communities, may have varied, complex, and historical experiences with law enforcement. 

The final stage of recruitment also includes a police background check for facilities access purposes. We acknowledge this information may affect applicants differently and share it to support informed decision-making throughout the application process.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Victim Services Toronto, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, but we know a job is more than a pay cheque. Here, you’ll be part of a team that works together to make a real difference. At the end of the day, our staff go home knowing they’ve helped provide immediate, confidential support to people experiencing crime or sudden tragedy.

While you’re here, you’ll also have access to a wide range of benefits and opportunities designed to support your health, growth, and overall wellbeing:

BENEFITS AND PERKS  

• Eligibility to enroll in medical and dental benefits following completion of the probation period, including access to mental health tools and resources

• OMERS pension plan with enrollment on your first day

• Access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program, including counselling and wellness resources for employees and their immediate family members

• Access to Toronto Police Service gym facilities (based on employment status)

• Professional development funds to support continuing education and career growth

• Agency-sponsored social events and opportunities to participate in community and charitable events

• In-house and external training opportunities related to current roles or future advancement

STAFF WELLBEING MATTERS  

Thanks to the generosity of The Janis Rotman Fund for Staff Wellbeing, our team benefits from meaningful, built-in support to sustain their energy and care. This includes every 10th working day off, and access to paid clinical supervision with trained clinicians. We recognize the toll of trauma exposure and are committed to supporting the wellbeing of those who support others.