Residential Support Aide

About the Role

Join Northern Children’s Services as a Residential Support Aide and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families. We are currently hiring part-time Support Aides for our Generations I and Crossroads programs. Reporting directly to the Residential Supervisor, the Support Aide provides trauma-informed support to residents and their children, assists in maintaining a welcoming, safe, and supportive community environment, and ensures residential services meet the highest quality standards according to City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and state licensing guidelines.

The Generations I program is a congregate care foster care program serving young women up to age 21 who are pregnant and/or parenting. The Crossroads program supports young adults between the ages of 18-24 to stabilize while acquiring individualized skill development and support to transition successfully into adulthood. This position works one of three shifts (the programs are staffed 24 hrs/day), with specific responsibilities varying by shift.

Responsibilities

• Leadership
  • Support an environment that fosters growth and development for all residents and encourages residents to actively participate as a partner in the development of goals and planning of services.
  • Demonstrate ethical and professional interactions with other staff and residents and hold others (staff and residents) accountable when unethical and/or unprofessional interactions occur.
  • Interact calmly and appropriately in crisis situations and manage positive outcomes for the safety of the residents.
  • Demonstrate positive teamwork in working with other Support Aides and members of the Residential Programs team.
• Direct Service
  • Ensure the residents and their children are supervised and have adequate meals and activities.
  • Transport residents to appointments, check inventory for supplies, check/purchase requests, and food shopping when required.
  • Ensure medication administration policies and procedures are followed.
  • Support an environment that fosters growth and development for all residents.
• Documentation & Communication
  • Complete all documentation in a timely fashion and in required formats, including but not limited to: therapeutic and non-therapeutic interactions, unusual incidents, routine activities, progress notes, health & safety checklist, point sheets, medication administration, etc.
  • Complete and submit a daily end-of-shift report.
  • Ensure residents are provided with written appointment reminders daily.
  • Communicate pertinent information daily with the Support Aide staff regarding doctors appointments, school attendance, transportation, court dates, behavioral therapy appointments and group therapy participation, recreational activities, and any needs and/or concerns that a resident or staff member has presented.
• Monitoring
  • Monitor and track residents to ensure regular participation in the program, including chores, maintaining cleanliness of rooms, etc.
  • Monitor residents' school attendance as applicable.
• Basic Skill Sets
  • Ability to clearly and positively communicate and interact with all Generation I staff and residents.
  • Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
  • Proficiency in the use of computers and pertinent software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office).

Requirements

• Education: Minimum high-school diploma or GED required. Associate’s Degree or college degree from a four-year, accredited institution is a plus. Major in human services or related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of two years working with adolescents in a child welfare or behavioral health setting or related experience required. Experience with young women, infants, and toddlers preferred.
• Special Skills: Familiarity with the Philadelphia child welfare system (e.g., the Department of Human Services, Community Umbrella Agencies), as well as intersecting systems (e.g., the court system, probation, behavioral health). Certification in medication administration is a plus.
• Physical Capabilities & Work Environment:
  • Ability to walk up and down stairs.
  • Ability to lift at least 20 lbs.
  • Ability to operate a computer.
  • Current valid driver’s license and willingness to drive as needed.
• Availability: Open availability required. Shifts include 11pm-7am, 3pm-11pm, and 7am-3pm.

Trauma-Informed Approach

Northern Children’s Services is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment rooted in safety, nonviolence, and resilience. Our policies are guided by trauma-informed principles, ensuring a supportive and healing atmosphere for clients and staff.

• Recognizes that past experiences, including trauma, can significantly impact a person’s behavior, emotions, and interactions.
• Use emotional intelligence: Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively: Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
• Understand trauma’s impact: Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
• Apply person-first, strengths-based language: Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Offers confidential referral and counseling services to help employees and their families manage life’s challenges, including stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
• Paid Leave:
  • Employees are eligible to earn 1 hour of sick time for every 40 hours worked, with a maximum of 40 sick hours earned in a calendar year.
  • An employee must be employed for at least 90 days before using accrued paid sick leave.
  • Unused sick leave rolls over each year without limit, with a maximum usage of 40 hours per year.

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

Northern Children’s Services values diversity, inclusion, and the well-being of every individual. We are committed to accommodating individuals with disabilities to the fullest extent possible under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. Discrimination is prohibited in employment, promotion, assignment, or dismissal on the basis of race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, handicap, or receipt of services for mental disability.