support worker

animateur

travailleur des services de développement

youth worker

home manager

BeConnected Support Services

It was really rewarding working with the clients - even the more difficult ones.  I learned so much about how to relate to individuals with developmental disabilities and how to involve them with their activities.  The most enjoyable part of the job was to arrive at work and see the smiles (and sometimes squeals of joy) from the residents when you start your shift.  The hardest part is seeing residents have to suffer and get decreased attention with the increase in "high needs" residents.
The workplace culture is extremely bad... the staff are stressed to the max. because the management is so greedy and incompetent.  The Home Coordinators are not professional - usually line workers who have been promoted because the upper management can't seem to keep the good managers - or workers for that matter.  
I believe the greatest problem is the upper management.  This is a "for profit" social services organization and it really shows.  On the good side...  they have immediate cash flow to buy the occasional new/used vehicle or furniture to make the lives of the residents tolerable.  On the down side, they take a % profit cut on every resident's contract with whatever Ministry is paying the shot.  This means they take on residents that have extreme behavioral issues because those individuals equate to higher monetary contracts.  This leave staff and other residents in the dust...  Management likes to claim this corporate decision is somehow altruistic but it is really all about the money.  For example: If you place a resident with extremely violent or behavioral issues in a house with other residents - all the other residents and staff suffer.  Health and safety issues are rampant and there are very few experienced long-term staff - lots of  students or people with other jobs.  Training is terrible and staff are injured regularly.  


Like all jobs, there are positives and negatives! When you are supporting others, it can be difficult to see both the immediate situation and the larger picture and it can be easier to focus on the negative. 
But who doesn't want to work in a home environment within a close knit team where you have meals provided during work hours, you can do amazing and fun activities in the community, and support others to meet their goals and live their best lives?!?
Of course, this job can be challenging, especially because this field of work needs more employees as a whole but overall the people who work here care for the individuals they serve and want to help improve their lives. The leadership team is approachable and collaborative, and the agency is small enough that you can make a difference within it, but it is also growing quickly which is exciting and creates room for advancement.

Conflicting job. On the one hand, caring for residents brings a lot of meaning and satisfaction to life. On the other hand, the management, work culture, and overall structure of the company are extremely disappointing. There are seemingly no requirements for who they will hire, no accountability or punitive measures, and no light at the end of the tunnel for when things will improve. Furthermore, training practically does not exist. There is an initial class-style training session, which does not tell you anything about the actual job, and then there are recurring self-defence training sessions, which are rushed through and half-baked. For a job that involves first-aid, administering medications, and caring for people who rely on you for care, the amount of training and vetting they do for employees is absolutely unacceptable.  

Have had the pleasure to learn of individuals who are in need of support and help with their everyday needs. Have learned lots about genuine care and the reason to be kind and open to others. Although a lot see that it must be a rewarding position, we are only helping everyday people with special needs get through their day, so they don't feel any different than people without. When broken down, there is no person out in our world who is more human than the individuals that require extra attention.

Clients are wonderful. Some house coordinators are amazing and are helpful and supportive. Others are the complete opposite and make the work environment fear-based and dramatic. The company is for-profit and takes on some clients with serious behavioral issues. This has lead to multiple staff being seriously injured. There are benefits for part-time and full-time staff and some hours if you want to work casually. The job is difficult at times when individuals are in crisis but overall was a wonderful experience. Some of the clients are little rays of sunshine and really connect with you.

I found the agency was welcoming and accommodating.  Salaries are set as the agency is unionized,  benefits are excellent.  I found the management approachable, fair and reasonable.  The work can be stressful and fast paced.  Staff shortages are present, but management steps in when needed.  Overall a good experience.  

Great clients and some houses allow for more activities than others, but there are struggles with management - either due to lack of resources, micromanagement, or poorly-communicated expectations. Staff are not treated equally, some  create terrible atmospheres and are hand-waved as "well that's just how they are!" so others have to pick up the slack. 

They do not care about staff safety, nor do they care about giving credit where credit is due. If you are a hot looking guy but do no work you get treated great by management they never give any appreciation, never a good job but call you in over petty things. People get hurt all the time. Staff safety or concerns are never addressed. Residents are not cared for properly and when that’s addressed your concerns get ignored 

Love spending time with the residents. The company holds several BBQs and events throughout the year. Several different programs offers variety to your work. Great benefits. 

Can be challenging when short staffed. Many of the individuals have challenging behaviours so you need to be able to build relationships with them and understand their support plans/protocols to be successful. 

No support from HR, home coordinators, or any higher ups. Many staff are unqualified and do not support each other or follow behavioural plans properly. Clients had tough days as in any job, but when plan is followed properly, were all wonderful to work with. Just wish they had better workers and a company that actually cared about them!

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Support worker 2 salaries reported	$26.23 per hour
Animateur 8 salaries reported	$27.31 per hour
Travailleur des services de développement 1 salary reported	$28.09 per hour
Youth worker 2 salaries reported	$27.46 per hour
Home manager 1 salary reported	$37.86 per hour

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