Social work

A visit to the hospital can be a stressful time for children, youth and families. It is only natural for people to experience fear and to worry in the face of new challenges. Stressors like these can impact individuals and can affect relationships, making it hard to keep up with everyday responsibilities. Social workers are here to support children, youth and families through these challenges and can help families navigate a complex medical system during the child’s treatment, diagnosis, admission and discharge from hospital.

Registered social workers are members of your child or youth’s health care team. They have specialized skills to help children, youth and families deal with medical and emotional stressors related to the child’s medical, behavioral or mental health needs. Social Workers can support patients, caregivers and family members, including siblings.

What we do

evaluate the strengths and needs of your family and develop an individualized plan
provide assessment, counselling and support families through times of crisis on an individual, couple, family or group basis
provide education and resource support throughout your child’s care
provide emotional support for family members
advocate for children, youth and families
facilitate communication between the family and the health care team
assist with discharge planning for a safe return home

We can help you:

explore and strengthen coping skills for children, youth and family members
support communication with your child’s healthcare team about your child’s needs
assist with decision coaching for times when you have to consider best options or make difficult decisions
develop strategies to deal with parenting concerns, conflict and life challenges
assist with coping, grief and loss
connect you with appropriate community supports and resources

How to reach a social worker at CHEO

To reach a social worker, talk to any member of your child’s health-care team or contact the social work office at 613-737-7600 extension 2360.

Social work internship

Consistent with CHEO’s mission, vision and strategic direction, the Social Work Program provides opportunities for students completing their Bachelor or Master’s in social work from an accredited university the opportunity to complete an internship with direct supervision from a registered social worker. This dynamic environment provides select candidates the opportunity to develop their skills working with children, youth and families in an effort to address social and emotional stressors resulting from the interaction of physical, social, cultural and psychological outcomes associated with health issues and treatment. As part of the interdisciplinary team, interns will learn how to complete comprehensive psychosocial and family assessments, they will provide therapeutic interventions, education and support to patients and their families on an individual, family or group basis. Interns will provide advocacy on behalf of families and work closely with members of the interdisciplinary team and community partners.

Social work interns will take part in the Interdisciplinary Family Therapy Program. This consists of interns’ participation as members of a family therapy reflecting team with the use of a one-way mirror. Master level interns are expected to see a minimum of one family therapy case with the team for which they function as the primary therapist along with a co-therapist. They will receive group and in-vivo supervision. This experience is jointly conducted by the disciplines of social work and psychology. Please note that this program is only offered from September to June.

Candidates interested in pursuing a Social Work Internship at CHEO are encouraged to consult their Field Practicum Coordinator at their respective University and submit a letter of interest along with their resume. CHEO provides opportunities for Internship in January, April and September.

Student placement testimonials

“I applied to do my social work practicum at CHEO because I had lots of experience working with children, youth, and families, and wanted to learn more about child and youth mental health. I was on CHEO’s Outpatient Mental Health team, which involved a variety of responsibilities including providing therapy to youth and families, co-facilitating a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills group, and leading “Choice” appointments for newly referred youth and their caregivers. I had two supervisors, which meant I could see two different work styles and was able to shadow a wide variety of appointments with my supervisors and with other clinicians at the Outpatient Mental Health clinic and elsewhere at CHEO. I felt very supported at the clinic by my supervisors and other staff, and it was an environment where learning was encouraged for everyone, including existing staff and other students from areas such as occupational therapy, psychology and medicine.”

“A highlight of my placement was participating in CHEO’s family therapy training program alongside psychiatry residents. These weekly classes were a wonderful opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary setting and to learn family therapy skills in a supportive, hands-on environment. As part of the program, I had the opportunity to act as a co-therapist to one family along with one of the course instructors. I also was able to observe others leading therapy and learned a lot from the lecture-based classes as well. The family therapy training program has greatly improved my clinical skills and is a rare opportunity for any social work student interested in doing therapy in their career.”

“I would recommend a practicum at CHEO to social work students who would like to improve their clinical skills, who like a fast-changing and varied environment, and who want to better understand the hospital system. All social work placements at CHEO, regardless of whether they are in mental health or on the medical floors, give students significant experience in clinical interventions. This placement has affirmed for me that I want to continue my training in the mental health area.”