Social service &
Community Support Worker
Diploma
This diploma 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 diploma, 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 diploma 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.
PTIRU Approved
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Program Hours: Program Weeks: Program Months: | Practicum: Delivery Method: Campus: |
Domestic Fees Tuition: Application Fee: | International Fees Tuition: Application Fee: |
* For full tuition breakdown please contact us
37-Week Social Service & Community Support Worker Program
60 hours – Essential Skills
Introduces fundamental skills needed in social work, including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to support clients effectively.
80 hours – Business Communications
Develops business communication skills, covering verbal and written interactions essential for professional environments in social services.
20 hours – Writing for Social Services
Focuses on developing writing skills specific to social services, such as ca notes, reports, and documentation.
40 hours – Ethics Fundamentals
Explores ethical frameworks and professional standards in social work, emphasizing integrity, confidentiality, and the importance of ethic decision-making.
40 hours – Psychology Fundamentals
Covers key psychological theories and human behaviour concepts that aid in understanding individual and group dynamics within community support.
60 hours – Addiction Fundamentals
Provides knowledge on addiction, covering common substances, behaviour patterns, and strategies for supporting clients in addiction recovery.
60 hours – Mental Health Fundamentals
Focuses on mental health basics, including recognizing symptoms of mental health disorders and learning supportive approaches for clients facing mental health challenges.
40 hours – High Risk Populations
Examines the unique needs of high-risk populations, such as those experiencing homelessness, poverty, or trauma, and best practices for providing appropriate care.
60 hours – Introduction to Pharmacology
Covers the basics of pharmacology, including common medications, side effects, and interactions, particularly relevant to clients dealing with mental health and addiction issues.
40 hours – Interviewing and Counselling Methods
Teaches effective interviewing and counselling techniques, focusing on active listening, empathy, and creating a supportive client environment.
40 hours – Intake and Discharge Planning
Introduces the process of intake assessment and discharge planning, helping clients access appropriate resources while maintaining detailed documentation.
20 hours – Resources and Networking
Provides an overview of local resources, agencies, and networking strategies essential for connecting clients to support services.
20 hours – Self-Care for Workers
Emphasizes self-care techniques to manage stress, maintain well-being, and avoid burnout in demanding social support roles.
20 hours – Certifications (First Aid/CPR, NVCI, SPT)
Certifications in essential safety and support skills, including First Aid/CP Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), and Suicide Prevention Training (SPT).
140 hours – Practicum Placement
Real-world field placement where students gain practical experience working with clients and applying their learning in community support settings.
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 counsellor relationship concerning cultural and diversity issues.
- Empathetic, non-judgmental communication.
- Solid understanding of drug treatments/usage and associated conditions.
Admission Requirements:
Students are required to be 19 years of age prior to the start of the program or possess a high school diploma (or equivalent), and provide evidence of one of the following English proficiency requirements:
- Completion of grades 9-11, including English 10 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher from a country where English is one of the principal languages (see list below), or
- Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
- Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic – Minimum overall score of 5.5
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT – Minimum overall score of 46
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) – Minimum overall score of 40
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
- Duolingo English Test (DET) – Minimum overall score of 95
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic – Minimum overall score of 43
- Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE) – Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
- Cambridge Linguaskill – Minimum overall B2 level
- LANGUAGECERT Academic – Minimum overall B2 level
- The Michigan English Test (MET) – Minimum overall B2 level
- iTEP Academic – Minimum overall score of 3.5
- EIKEN – Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1
Upon successful completion of this program, students can expect to work as:
- Community Support Worker
- Addictions Worker
- Special Needs Support Worker
