Social Service Worker at Algonquin College

Pursue a fulfilling career working on the front line of social services.

In the two-year Social Service Worker Ontario College Diploma program, you gain the skills and knowledge to work effectively with individuals, groups and communities dealing with personal and social problems.

Through theory and practical experiences, the program prepares you to support a wide range of client groups and communities who are in the process of change or growth, including those impacted by issues such as:

• loss and separation
• family crisis
• poverty
• violence
• homelessness
• addiction
• disability
• unemployment
• oppression
• resettlement issues

As a student, you complete three semesters in field placement experiences totaling almost 700 hours. You identify, practice and incorporate theoretical knowledge at a level that provides top client service. As well, you strengthen the bond between yourself and the community by participating in various applied research projects and direct practice opportunities. With these opportunities, you are ready to work on the front line of social services.

Graduates may secure employment as Social Service Workers in provincial, municipal and private social service agencies including:

• social service departments
• long-term care facilities
• addiction and mental health services
• schools and youth services
• community health and resource centres
• shelters
• residential treatment programs

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have effective interpersonal skills.
• Are committed to addressing social issues, such as poverty, homelessness, oppression and human rights.
• Understand the importance of effective communication with clients and community partners.
• Are team-oriented and enjoy working with others.
• Deal effectively with stressful situations.

Careers

This program prepares you for your career by providing you with the opportunity to apply for professional accreditation in the field of social services. Upon graduation, you need to register as a Social Service Worker through the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers in order to be recognized as such.

You may find work in: drop-in centres, employment services, addiction and mental health services, schools and youth services, community health and resource centres, shelters, residential treatment programs.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Develop respectful and collaborative professional and interpersonal relationships that adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to social service work.
2. Record information accurately and communicate effectively in written, digital, verbal and non-verbal ways, in adherence to privacy and freedom of information legislation, in accordance with professional and workplace standards.
3. Integrate a practice framework within a service delivery continuum, addressing the needs of individuals, families and communities at micro, mezzo, macro and global levels, and work with them in achieving their goals.
4. Plan and implement accessible and responsive programs and services, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities, and meeting these needs.
5. Examine current social policy, relevant legislation, and political, social, historical, and/or economic systems and their impacts for individuals and communities when delivering services to the user/client.
6. Develop strategies and approaches that support individual clients, groups, families and communities in building the capacity for self-advocacy, while affirming their dignity and self-worth.
7. Work from an anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice, recognizing the capacity for resilience and growth of individuals and communities when responding to the diverse needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations to act as allies and advocates.
8. Develop strategies and approaches to implement and maintain holistic self-care as a member of a human service profession.
9. Work with individuals, groups, families and their communities to ensure that service provider strategies promote social and economic justice, and challenge patterns of oppression, discrimination and harassment, and sexual violence with clients, coworkers and communities.
10. Develop the capacity to work with the Indigenous individual, families, groups and communities while respecting their inherent rights to self-determine, and to identify and address systemic barriers that produce ill-effects, developing appropriate responses using approaches such as trauma informed care practice.
11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.

• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.