Shahena Thanendran
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Child & Youth Care Practitioner and Social Service Worker with extensive experience supporting children and youth in residential, secure custody, mental health, and community settings. Skilled in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, behavioral management, and program facilitation. Strong advocate for clients, with a proven ability to build trusting relationships and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Fluent in English and Tamil.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Youth Services Officer
Ministry Of Children, Community And Social Service
06.2025 - 01.2026
- Supervised youth in secure custody, ensuring safety and policy compliance
- Implemented individualized care plans and structured daily programming
- Provided trauma-informed crisis intervention and de-escalation
- Completed professional documentation and incident reports
Child and Youth Worker
Turning Point Youth Services - Open Custody
10.2024 - 06.2025
- Supported youth using individualized care plans
- Facilitated structured programming and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams
- Documented youth progress and incidents
Child and Youth Worker
Turning Point Residential
10.2024 - 06.2025
- Supported youth with mental health needs in residential settings
- Facilitated therapeutic group and individual interventions
- Collaborated on care planning with clinical teams
Child and Youth Worker
Durham Youth Services - Joanne's House
10.2024 - 06.2025
- Assisted with intakes and individualized care plans
- Supported youth in daily routines and structured programming
- Advocated for youth and families through documentation and collaboration
Social Services Worker
COSTI Immigrant Services
10.2024 - 06.2025
- Provided case management for clients experiencing homelessness
- Connected clients to housing and community resources
- Conducted assessments and maintained documentation
Child and Youth Worker
Youthdale Treatment Centres
09.2024 - 06.2025
- Implemented individualized treatment plans with clinical teams
- Facilitated therapeutic groups focused on emotional regulation
- Provided trauma-informed crisis intervention and completed clinical documentation
Social Services Worker
Homes First Canada
06.2024 - 06.2025
- Provided case management for clients with housing instability
- Connected clients to community resources and essential services
Early Childhood Assistant
TNG Yonge And Sheppard Child Center
04.2024 - 10.2024
- Supported curriculum delivery and documented child development
- Communicated with families and supported social-emotional growth
Store Manager
Sun Star Convenience
07.2022 - 10.2024
- Managed daily store operations, inventory, and staff
- Led hiring, training, and performance management
- Monitored sales, expenses, and customer concerns
Customer Service Representative
Rogers Communications
08.2023 - 03.2024
- Managed high-volume inbound calls and resolved service issues
- Maintained accurate documentation and met performance targets
Early Childhood Assistant
Family Day Care Services
01.2022 - 08.2023
- Supported students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs
- Implemented behaviour plans and intervention strategies
- Documented student progress and incidents
Team Leader
Mac N' Wings
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Supported staff during high-volume service periods
- Assisted with shift coordination and daily operations
Child and Youth Worker
York Region District School Board
09.2021 - 03.2022
- Supported students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs
- Implemented behaviour plans and intervention strategies
- Documented student progress and incidents
Customer Service Representative
Beck Taxi
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Managed high-volume calls and client inquiries
- Coordinated scheduling and issue resolution
Store Manager
Sunrise Convenience
04.2020 - 09.2021
Early Childcare Assistant
Malvern Montessori School
09.2020 - 03.2021
Early Childcare Assistant
Umbrella Central Daycare Services
01.2018 - 12.2018
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Child And Youth Care
Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto06-2024
Skills
- Case Documentation & Progress Reporting
- Program Planning & Facilitation (Group & Individual)
- Residential & Secure Custody Youth Support
- Community Resource Referral, Advocacy & Service Navigation
- Early Childhood Education & Curriculum Support
- Conflict Resolution, Mediation & Problem Solving
- Empathy, Active Listening & Therapeutic Relationship Building
- Crisis Intervention, De-escalation & Safety Planning
- Trauma-Informed Care & Behaviour Management
Languages
English
Tamil
Timeline
Youth Services Officer
Ministry Of Children, Community And Social Service
06.2025 - 01.2026
Child and Youth Worker
Turning Point Youth Services - Open Custody
10.2024 - 06.2025
Child and Youth Worker
Turning Point Residential
10.2024 - 06.2025
Child and Youth Worker
Durham Youth Services - Joanne's House
10.2024 - 06.2025
Social Services Worker
COSTI Immigrant Services
10.2024 - 06.2025
Child and Youth Worker
Youthdale Treatment Centres
09.2024 - 06.2025
Social Services Worker
Homes First Canada
06.2024 - 06.2025
Early Childhood Assistant
TNG Yonge And Sheppard Child Center
04.2024 - 10.2024
Customer Service Representative
Rogers Communications
08.2023 - 03.2024
Store Manager
Sun Star Convenience
07.2022 - 10.2024
Early Childhood Assistant
Family Day Care Services
01.2022 - 08.2023
Child and Youth Worker
York Region District School Board
09.2021 - 03.2022
Team Leader
Mac N' Wings
07.2021 - 07.2022
Customer Service Representative
Beck Taxi
01.2021 - 12.2021
Early Childcare Assistant
Malvern Montessori School
09.2020 - 03.2021
Store Manager
Sunrise Convenience
04.2020 - 09.2021
Early Childcare Assistant
Umbrella Central Daycare Services
01.2018 - 12.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Child And Youth Care
Toronto Metropolitan University