CUPE 1328 Demands Clarity After TCDSB Signals End to School-Wide Child and Youth Workers

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CUPE 1328, representing more than 2,000 education workers at the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), is raising serious concerns following reports that school administrators have been advised that schools are no longer required to maintain a Child and Youth Worker (CYW) in every school.

According to CUPE 1328, principals have been informed that youth work supports should be primarily assigned within special education programs, rather than operating in a school-wide capacity. While the union strongly values the vital work CYWs do within special education, it warns that narrowing their role will significantly limit access to trained mental health professionals for the broader student population.

“Child and Youth Workers are often the first line of support for students who are struggling,” said CUPE 1328 President Sharron Flynn. “They build trusted relationships, de-escalate conflict, support emotional regulation, and intervene early — before issues escalate into crisis.”

CYWs play a critical, preventative role in TCDSB secondary schools. Their training is rooted in youth development, trauma-informed practice, de-escalation, restorative justice, and social-emotional intervention. Unlike social work services, which are often limited to one or two days a week and spread across multiple schools, CYWs are embedded in school communities. Over time, they develop strong relationships with students and families, making them a trusted and less intimidating point of contact — particularly for parents. This allows concerns to be addressed early and supports students before challenges intensify.

“When youth workers are utilized in school-wide roles, they don’t replace social workers — they complement them,” said Lisa Townsend, Vice President of CUPE 1328. “CYWs help triage concerns, provide ongoing support, and reduce pressure on an already overburdened system. Removing youth worker support creates gaps in care.”

The union points to troubling trends since approximately 2014, when CYWs were removed from TCDSB elementary schools and placed into more narrowly defined program assignments. During this same period, schools have seen rising levels of students with complex social-emotional needs, behavioural escalation, and incidents of violence. While multiple factors contribute to these challenges, CUPE 1328 says the erosion of preventative, relationship-based mental health supports has weakened schools’ ability to intervene early and maintain safe learning environments.

CUPE 1328 is urging the Board to engage in meaningful dialogue and explore solutions that preserve and restore school-wide youth work supports in recognition of their proven value to student wellbeing, staff safety, and healthy school communities.

“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further,” said Flynn. “Our students deserve proactive, preventative mental health supports — not fewer barriers to accessing help.”

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