u/PensiveBarnacle

Im a CYW working in group homes and LITS and it’s been getting harder and harder in this field. Theres only so much we can do and I feel like more and more as the years go by, kids/youth leave treatment after making so much progress coping with their behavioural and mental health challenges, and it goes right back to square one.

Anyone who’s previously lived in a group home / LITS and turned your life around. Where are you now? Even if things didn’t go your way and you’re still facing challenges, I just want to hear your stories. Thank you.

Since our own sub for CYWS is dead I’ll ask here. Are there any CYW jobs that offer adequate work/life balance? And are true to their job descriptions? I’ve accepted and then declined jobs because they’re dishonest in their job postings (ex. Offering a company vehicle for client transportation but then requiring you to transport clients in your personal vehicle)

I’m thankfully part time in my role at a live in treatment centre, but I’ve done my fair share of being asked to stay late (3am is the latest). This is NOTHING compared to the full time staff here. I’ve seen them work 15-20 hour shifts due to being short staffed or not being caught up on their work. How does this get better? DOES it get better? My mental capacity is not at all ready to go full time in this field. I tried, and had to leave the field for a whole year before returning.

I hate working late nights on the weekends, I don’t know how I could ever start a family being a CYW, and I don’t know where to go from here. There’s always school / day treatments but they’re so competitive. I’m just not sure what to do, or if my short time in the field is coming to an end.

Anyone else in a similar boat or just need to vent? I’m curious to hear what others think, or if anyone has encouraging words