A career as a correctional youth counselor holds great promise for those who are passionate about helping young people overcome difficult challenges. Correctional youth counselors are responsible for providing support and guidance to incarcerated or at-risk youth, a vulnerable population that often face a variety of personal, social, and psychological issues. For those looking to embark on this rewarding career path, it is important to have a clear understanding of the unique challenges and qualifications required to become a correctional youth counselor. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the essential duties, qualifications, and skills needed to become a successful correctional youth counselor. We will also discuss what to expect when working in the field, as well as the various career paths available. Finally, we will provide some tips on how to stand out from the competition and land the job.
What does a correctional youth counselor do?
Here are the main duties of a correctional youth counselor:
What is a correctional youth counselor?
A trained professional who works with children and adolescents in detention facilities and their families is a correctional youth counselor. To keep local courts, schools, and correctional facilities informed of a client’s progress toward successful behavior modification, these counselors serve as a liaison between their clients and these institutions. These counselors are employed by state and local governments to work with youth in community programs and criminals in prisons.
How to become a correctional youth counselor
Correctional youth counselors frequently have previous experience working with kids, teens, and the criminal justice system. Use the strategies listed below to enter this field with the necessary credentials:
1. Earn a bachelors degree
Employers typically require candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field to ensure they can handle the complexities of the position. Think about obtaining a degree in counseling, social work, or criminal justice. Counselors can use a relevant degree as a foundation of knowledge when interacting with juvenile offenders and determining what course of action to take.
2. Gain relevant experience
Get a combination of training and experience to help you stand out as a more appealing candidate for the position. Employers prefer candidates who understand the industry and can act appropriately because correctional youth counselors deal with many challenging situations and make decisions that have an impact on clients’ lives. Consider enhancing your education with different experiences. For instance, a candidate with a degree in criminal justice could gain experience working with kids to meet all the requirements for the position. Internships, apprenticeships, and previous employment in the following positions are all examples of relevant experience.
3. Pass a background check
Because they work with children and teenagers, background checks must be passed before employment for correctional youth counselors. Do this to protect your clients’ privacy, their families, and their personal information. Employers may also request documentation proving your age over 21 and the validity of your driver’s license in addition to the background investigation.
4. Complete on-the-job training
Complete a period of on-the-job-training. Employers like state and local governments frequently demand this training to familiarize counselors with job duties, best practices, and laws. This training covers the fundamentals of being a correctional youth counselor and can last up to 12 months. The fundamentals of on-the-job training for this position help prepare employees for every scenario they may encounter, even though each locality trains its workers differently. The candidate becomes a full-time counselor upon completion of training.
Skills for a correctional youth counselor
Correctional youth counselors deal with a variety of clients and situations, so employers want them to have a wide range of skills. Some skills this kind of counselor may have include:
Listening
To fully understand how to help their clients, counselors must pay close attention to what they have to say. Corrective youth counselors who have good listening skills can ascertain the causes of a client’s behavior and emotional state. Counselors can choose activities that best suit a client’s needs by listening to them. Counselors make the young patients in their care feel safe and respected by doing this, which can result in more fruitful sessions and activities and a quicker recovery overall.
Oral communication
Oral communication enables correctional youth counselors to speak with their clients’ families, schools, and courts directly and easily. In order to achieve their goals of behavior modification, the counselor must have effective oral communication skills. They can also maintain confidentiality for certain information. Additionally, effective oral communication enables counselors to present desired changes to the courts and families, such as the client placement or counseling techniques.
Written communication
Writing reports and keeping client records is made easier for correctional youth counselors by written communication. Counselors must be able to write reports for the client’s school, the staff at the correctional facility, and the court in addition to keeping records of their clients’ progress that are simple for them to understand. These records and reports support the client’s behavior modification objectives.
Empathy
Teenage clients in the care of correctional youth counselors benefit significantly when they have empathy skills. Clients who experience respect, nurturing, and care may take part in activities that support their goals. This helps counselors as well because they want to help young offenders. Empathetic counselors can advance their careers significantly and help their clients establish healthy, lifelong habits.
Stress-management
Correctional youth counselors frequently possess effective stress-management skills and techniques due to the fast-paced nature of their work. Managing stress benefits a counselor’s wellbeing as well as that of their young patients. Stress management enables the counselor to maintain a composed, pleasant demeanor, which aids in decision-making and fosters a welcoming environment for the client.
Leadership
Correctional youth counselors hold positions of authority, so employers anticipate them to be outstanding leaders. These abilities assist them whenever they have to advise a client to behave properly or give clients and their families firm recommendations. Successful leaders may better engage clients and, as a result, produce better behavior change outcomes in counseling.
My Career Action Plan for Being a Youth Correctional Counselor
FAQ
How do I become a Yco?
Must be at least 20 years old when applying and 21 years old when being appointed. Must have history of law-abiding behavior. To own, possess, and exercise custody or control over any firearm or other weapon approved by the CDCR, one must be legally qualified.
What are the goals of a correctional counselor?
Correctional counselors’ main objective is to intervene therapeutically with a variety of clients, the majority of whom are offenders. Among these interventions are work with adolescent adjustment issues, pre- and post-release vocational and marital/family readjustment, and prison adjustment.
How do I become a correctional counselor in Texas?
Education for Correctional Counselors To work in the field, you must possess a 4-year bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or a closely related field. Many professionals who work in correctional treatment have advanced degrees in psychology, social work, or criminal justice.
