Child and Youth Care Humber Polytechnic

Overview

The Child and Youth Care degree programme from Humber Polytechnic  is based on the professional practice of child and youth care supported by the disciplines of psychology, sociology, community development, political science and education. The curriculum focuses on the theory and research of relational practice: building relationships to support children and youth in crisis or going through experiences of challenge and change.

You’ll learn from highly qualified professors, as well as from guest lecturers from the field of child and youth care or community members with lived experiences. You’ll have the unique opportunity to develop key practice skills through faculty supervision in our state-of-the-art interview labs, and our therapeutic play lab designed as a children’s activity room and space to support family practice.

Key facts

• Your courses integrate the study of developmental, preventative and therapeutic approaches in child and youth care and will teach you direct practice methods such as interviewing and counselling, responding to abuse, therapeutic play, and other intervention modalities taught from a strength-based perspective and within a caring, anti-oppressive and anti-racist framework.
• The first two years of the programme provide you with a comprehensive understanding of child and youth development, as well as current methodologies in child and youth care professional practice. In the final two years, you will be able to engage in courses related to five areas of concentration – youth justice and advocacy, social policy and research, approaches to care, community development and youth engagement, and international perspectives. The curriculum and work-integrated learning experiences throughout the programme will support you to select a focus for your final thesis project in fourth year.
• Our programme allows you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, youth and communities.
• You may find yourself in a variety of roles such as:

• advocacy
• child and youth or family support
• child welfare and protection
• children’s mental health
• community development
• education
• policy development
• research
• youth justice