Program Overview

Social Services & Community Support Worker Diploma

Program Overview

The Social Services & Community Support Worker Diploma program prepares students to effectively manage the administrative and implementation responsibilities of a wide variety of mental health programs and services for individuals. This program is intended for people who are looking for a career in mental health support work, assisting people with personal and social issues.

Program Details

• Program Length: 32 weeks*
• Total Program Hours: 680
• Work Experience Hours: 100
• Median Annual Salary: $52,140**

Admissions Requirements

1. High School Graduate or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years or older prior to starting the program)
2. Meet one of the following English Language Proficiency requirements:

• Minimum Grade 10 English (Domestic Students)
• For English as second language students:
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band of 5.0 or higher, with a minimum 5.0 in each band
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: overall score of 5.5 or higher
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT: overall score of 46 or higher
  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test: overall score of 40 or higher
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): minimum score of Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5
  • Cambridge English Language B2 First exam (FCE): overall score of 160 or higher
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): overall score of 43 or higher
  • Duolingo English Test (DTE): overall score of 95 or higher

3. Immunization Report: Applicants must submit an immunization record that indicates current immunizations prior to the commencement of the work experience
4. Clear Criminal Record Check Completion under the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP)
5. Complete the “Student Declaration –Social Service Worker Program” form

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Gain a solid understanding of the available community social services
• Define what is meant by “counselling”
• Identify key values, knowledge, principles, and skills within an ethical framework appropriate for mental health workers
• Describe the role of relationships in the lives of individuals, families, and communities
• Outline a timeline and stages of human development
• List theories of human motivation and emotion
• Discuss stress-reduction techniques and their importance not just to clients but to mental health workers as well
• Describe how and why some behaviours are thought of as “abnormal’
• Outline the benefits and risks associated with psychiatric diagnoses and assessment
• Identify the symptoms associated with certain commonplace mental health disorders and substance abuse
• Outline the relationship of mental health and addictions
• Articulate the impact on the client counsellor relationship with respect to cultural and diversity issues
• Analyze workplace ethical dilemmas with an eye to best practices
• Outline the various conditions of risk for mental health and/or substance abuse and how those conditions impact certain populations

Program Fees

• Domestic Students:
  • Application Fee: $250
  • Assessment Fee: $100
  • Tuition: $9,000
  • Textbooks: $1,100
  • Others: $50
  • Total: $10,500
• International Students:
  • Application Fee: $500
  • Assessment Fee: $250
  • Tuition: $11,700
  • Textbooks: $1,100
  • Others: $50
  • Total: $13,600

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the Social Services & Community Support program, students will seek employment with family social service agencies, community mental health centers, facilities for the physically and developmentally disabled, group homes, drop-in centres, life skills programs, outreach services, and supported housing initiatives.

• Family Social Service Worker
• Community Mental Health Worker
• Resident Support Worker
• Addiction and Counselling Support Worker
• Women Shelter Worker

Designed to prepare graduates for NOC 4212.

This program has been approved by the Private Training Institution Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.