Stepping Stones

A typical day at work often involves unpredictable and unsafe client behaviour with limited support. Injuries to staff are not uncommon, and safety concerns are rarely addressed meaningfully. There is no WSIB coverage, no union support, and little sense of accountability from management.

What I learned is how to advocate for myself when organizational systems fall short. I also learned that dedication alone isn't enough when staff health and well-being are not protected.

Management lacks transparency and tends to downplay staff concerns. Leadership is centralized and often dismissive of frontline realities. Staff who speak up may feel gaslit or singled out.

Workplace culture can feel isolating. There is a strong focus on youth care, which is important, but unfortunately this often comes at the expense of staff well-being.

The hardest part of the job is working through physical pain or injury while still being expected to meet all responsibilities. Many staff feel replaceable and unsupported.

The most enjoyable part of the job is the youth. Supporting them through challenges and celebrating their growth can be meaningful. But without structural improvements, it’s hard to sustain.

Best of Intentions.. Improvement needed

Management is overworked, which results in overworked staff. 
Would benefit from hiring an HR Generalist to address employee conflict, training, update employee files etc.

Would also benefit from a Staff Development Coordinator - providing in-dept training to staff working with youth at risk with complex emotional and behavioral needs. 
 
"Supervisors" are overworked, inexperienced and do not provide concrete direction. 

Co-Directors are knowledgeable, have a unique way of analyzing situations and problem solving. Can learn a lot from them however they struggle with teaching/training staff. 

Loved working there, work work for the company again providing adjustments made.

I have worked for Stepping Stones for a year and a half and am still currently employed by this agency. I left to work for a new agency and quickly returned to Stepping Stones as I missed the team, youth, and environment. The co-directors of this agency are knowledgeable and experienced in the field. They are supportive of their staff, available to help resolve conflict, invested in the young people living in their homes, and care deeply for making a difference in the field. The team of foster-family supervisors are easily accessed, available to staff when needed, well-educated, and dedicated to the field. Overall I would recommend Stepping Stones to anyone looking for a meaningful and fulfilling job in the field of child and youth care. 

I worked at Stepping Stones Foster Care for over a year and loved every minute of it. The job is very fast pace and keeps you on your toes at all times! Throughout my time there I felt the love and passion for kids from every staff member. whenever I had a question the directors and supervisor were always willing and open to help me out! The reason I left this amazing workplace was that my life took me in a different direction, but I would recommend this to anyone looking for happy work life.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best  of the work at stepping stone  is, the care  and protection  provided to kids.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The  transitional  period   where kids are new to  the environment  

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The environment  is  harmonious  and professional 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Providing  directions  to  kids with behavior

What is the best part of working at the company?
The clients were the best part 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Not knowing certain protocols, safety, unorganized communication 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Regular healthcare work environment 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Typical day was showing up to clients home and completing daily tasks

Working at stepping stones was a very great learning experience. The management was non supportive and did not encourage staff to support each other. Staff were put into situations where people were injured, understandably your are working with at risk youth but no plan was put in place to keep staff safe. Pay is decent but not when staff safety is at risk. If you need a lot of hours this is a good place as staff are constantly called in on days off and to come in early or stay late.

One of the most supportive and genuine agencies I’ve worked for. Clients can be difficult and stressful to work with but management and coworkers for the most part have each other’s support and actually work as a team. 
The schedule can be a bit much with the 12 hour shifts but scheduling gives a good amount of days off to prevent staff from getting burnt out. 
Overall a great place to work!! 

When I first started I loved it, management was super supportive. The longer my employment continued the worse it got. Management began over working staff due to staffing shortages (no surprise there) management began to care less and less about the employee as a human. Work environment is very cliquey, always so much gossip going around. Pay was decent, however absolutely no benefits.

it was a great place to work until a certain manager was hired. she is the most manipulative person i’ve ever worked for, will say and do anything she can to get out of the heat of the moment while being caught in a lie. lies to kids, workers, director, foster parents etc. lack of safety for workers with troubled youth - no training
favouritism is a big thing in this agency.

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