Social service &
Community Support Worker
This program prepares graduates for a career as a Community Support Worker and related occupations in the social service sector. The graduates gain strong theoretical and hands-on practical skills required to confidently support programs for persons with disabilities, shelters for persons with mental health and substance abuse issues, and a wide range of social service and community support occupations.
Throughout the program, you will delve into the foundations of social work, learning about human behavior, psychology, and the dynamics of diverse communities. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you’ll develop a deep understanding of social issues, including poverty, mental health, addiction, and homelessness, while exploring strategies to empower individuals and connect them with vital resources.
As the program progresses, you’ll gain practical experience through field placements, immersing yourself in real-world scenarios and applying your learning to support individuals facing various challenges. You’ll develop strong communication and counseling skills, learning to provide emotional support, advocacy, and referrals to community services.
PTIB Approved
Social Service and Community Support Worker Diploma was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-
Secondary Education and Future Skills.
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Program Length: Practicum:
| Program Hours: Delivery Method: Campus: |
Domestic Fees Tuition: Application Fee: Administrative Fee: Textbooks Fee: Other Fee: Assessment Fee: Total: | International Fees Tuition: Application Fee: Administrative Fee: Textbooks Fee: Other Fee: Assessment Fee: Total: |
* For full tuition breakdown please contact us
38-Week Social Service & Community Support Worker Program
60 hours Essential Skills
40 hours Ethics Fundamentals
40 hours Psychology Fundamentals
60 hours Addiction Fundamentals
60 hours Mental Health Fundamentals
40 hours High Risk Populations
60 hours Introduction to Pharmacology
40 hours Interviewing and Counselling Methods
40 hours Intake and Discharge Planning
20 hours Resources and Networking
20 hours Writing for Social Services
20 hours Self-Care for Workers
80 hours Business Communications
20 hours Certifications (First Aid/CPR, NVCI, SPT)
140 hours Practicum Placement
* For full credit breakdown please contact us
1. What are my career pathways?
With experience, social service and community support workers can advance to supervisory roles, specialize in areas like child welfare or addiction counseling, or pursue further education in social work or related fields.
2. What does holistic support look like?
Social service workers address a range of issues, including mental health, addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, and family dynamics, fostering comprehensive well-being.
3. What are the work settings like?
Social service and community support workers can be employed in various settings, including community centers, shelters, schools, correctional facilities, healthcare agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
4. What do Social Service and Community Support Workers advocate?
They advocate for individuals and families facing social, economic, and emotional challenges, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate:
- A solid understanding of the available community social services resources
- The ability to professionally implement key values, knowledge, principles, and skills within an ethical framework
- A clear understanding of the role of relationships in the lives of individuals, families, and communities
- The ability to outline a timeline and stages of human development
- The skills required to assist with intake report management
- Effective stress-reduction techniques for clients and workers
- Identification and understanding of the symptoms associated with certain commonplace mental health disorders and substance abuse
- A clear comprehension of the relationship between mental health and addictions
- The ability to articulate the impact on the client counselor relationship with respect to cultural and diversity issues
- Empathetic, non-judgmental communication
- Solid understanding of drug treatments/usage and associated conditions
Admission Requirements:
- Students must provide a high school diploma or meet the age of 18 or above, and provide proof of one of the following English Language Proficiency requirements.
- For domestic students, minimum Grade 10 English, or for English as a second language students, English proficiency ability (one of the following):
- IELTS 5.5, or
- CELPIP: Score of 6.0 or
- Cambridge English Scale: score of 150 or higher, or
- Cambridge English: Advanced score of Grade C, or
- Cambridge English: Business Vantage score of Grade C, or
- TOEFL score of at least 45, or
- TOEIC score of at least 605, or
- PTE score of at least 51, or
- Duolingo English Test score of 80 or higher
Completion Requirements:
- Students must achieve an overall mark of 65% or higher for successful completion of program.
Upon successful completion of this program, students can expect to work as:
- Community Support Worker
- Community Service Worker
- Special Needs Support Worker
