Social Service Worker Program Ensures Students Are Not Limited

To ensure that students of Centennial College are presented with a number of options once they graduate, many of the school's programs have forged relationships with post-secondary institutions that allow students to apply academic credit towards further study.

One such offering is the social service worker program. After completing two years worth of studies, students can go on to apply for programs with Athabasca University, Griffith University, Ryerson University, Royal Roads University and York University. One the other hand, students are also prepared to enter the field where they will provide support services to vulnerable groups that include seniors, youth, assaulted women and children, the homeless and under-housed as well as those with developmental disabilities and mental illness. Social service workers work in organizations that include advocacy coalitions, mental health and housing programs, shelters, community centres and more. Thanks to the training they receive at Centennial, grads have been hired by reputable organizations that include: Central Neighbourhood House, Operation Springboard, Senior Link, Tropicana Community Services, Toronto Social Services, Woodgreen Community Centre, Touchstone Youth Services and more.

Centennial College's approach to preparing students for this field is a proactive one, meaning that students first learn theory and then apply that theory to hands-on practice such as group labs, guest speakers, experiential learning, collaborative learning and inter-professional opportunities with other students. Specific hands-on practice includes experiences in assessing communities, developing and writing funding proposals, social action plans as well as simulated client interviews and assessments. Meanwhile, specific topics covered within the offering include: Social Service Work and Pathways to Practice, Power, Privilege and Oppression; Social Policy, Community Development, Advanced Interviewing and Counselling, Report Presentation for Community Service Workers and more.

To round out the application features of the offering, students attend two field placements in the third and fourth semesters. Direct work in the field provides students with the opportunity to experience an entry-level social service position in a learning environment where application and integration of the philosophy, function and procedure of the social service system takes place. Aside from applying their knowledge to the real world, this experience further allows students to evaluate the strengths and limitations of the social service system. Students are also exposed to becoming part of a service team that meets the needs of the people served by the agency. During both placements, students are responsible for being accountable for assigned work, follow up and documentation, integration of policy, practice, values and ethics to the social issues and problems as they directly impact on the agency, their clients and the profession.

At the end of their studies, the Centennial College-trained Social Service Worker has the ability to carry out his or her duties, which include: recognizing diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities to promote accessible and responsive programs and services; advocating for appropriate access to resources to assist individuals, families, groups and communities; integrating social group work and group facilitation skills across a wide range of environments that support growth and development of individuals, families and communities; working in communities to advocate for change strategies that promote social and economic justice and challenge patterns of oppression and discrimination.

What It Takes to Become a Social Service Worker in Canada?

There is a huge demand for qualified and trained social service workers (SSWs) in Canada. The profession is concerned with helping individuals, families and communities to resolve their problems and enhance their well-being. And those who are engaged in social service work wear many hats. They act as advisers, counsellors, caretakers, therapists, administrators and social change supports on any given day.

Though these roles may seem extremely diverse and to require almost limitless range of knowledge and skills, but the truth is that all these roles are interconnected and need almost similar expertise and know-how. A social service worker program may help interested individuals gain the knowledge and skills required to seek employment in this field. Centennial College's two-year post-secondary program provides students with the basic competencies that will work well in most situations. These include:

Basic Theoretical Grounding:- The two-year program provides students with strong grounding in a variety of subjects, including developmental psychology, applied social research and data management, social policy, community development, social service work with groups, power and social movements and report presentation for community service workers.

Hands-on Training:- To seek employment in this field, it's necessary to have hands-on training in assessing communities, developing funding proposals, interviewing clients, recognizing the needs of individuals or groups, and developing social action plans. The program at Centennial College helps students learn how to encourage and help people to develop their skills and the abilities to resolve their problems on their own.

Empathy:- Empathizing is an intellectual as well as an emotional process that helps SSWs in understanding other people's situations. Therefore, this is one of the major requirements for becoming a SSW. However, this is an intangible aspect of this profession but this is what encourages youngsters to enter this field. It cannot be taught through classroom learning but students may develop it overtime and become more sensitive towards the needs of people who have been discriminated on the basis of colour, gender, community, region or religion when they actually go out to the field and work with them. This is the reason why Centennial College incorporates industry field placements in the curriculum.

Social Perceptiveness and Awareness:- The college program also helps students gain social perceptiveness and awareness by making them understand how values and ideologies contribute to the construction of social problems. The intensive field programs allow them to interact with youth, homeless, the under housed, seniors, people with mental disabilities, people with developmental disabilities and assaulted women and understand their issues and problems. This helps students develop social perceptiveness and awareness. The program curriculum is all-inclusive and focuses on preparing students to become professionals who are committed to social justice and equality of people regardless of their class, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, ability and sexual orientation.

Enrolment Guide:- To apply for this program, students can send their applications to the college along with a copy of secondary school diploma certificate and scores in English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent. They are also required to undergo criminal reference check and background check.

Social change starts with students in the social service worker program

Violence, poverty, health problems, and other social issues must be handled properly. The range of problems varies which gives a rise in demand for workers in social service. If you want to see a positive change in your community and the world, it starts with a social service worker program. This program will alleviate any stress and help eliminate some of the causes of problems. While an ideal society will have none of these issues, we strive to prevent things from getting worse and help give people better living conditions.

The programs can vary, depending on the organization and the needs of individuals. For example, students in schools have social workers who visit to ensure that they are learning in a harassment-free environment. Those suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction can get help social workers by having visitations and plans for improving their life and deterring from their bad influencers. Many changes are needed to our society and the professionals who have the compassion and determination to carry out these duties can start from a community college. The Social Service Worker (1203) program at Centennial College offers two years of higher education in various aspects of social service.

The curriculum involves strong fundamental lessons to support advanced courses, which then relates to the working field, which students get to experience through a series of field placements. Outlines below are the highlights of the college program:

• Analysis of human growth, with a focus on developmental psychology, is taught to enable students to understand the issues that concern a social worker's client.
• Other than individual growth, society needs to be analyzed, along with the forces that shape it, such as political systems, economic development, technology, and the role of the media.
• Students will practice their research skills, so they can learn about the history of different issues affecting our world today and identify patterns that can help resolve some individual problems.
• Aside from correcting the problems, social workers must incite change by planning programs that promote equality and social justice. Students will combine theory into practice by forming a community development plan.
• Many sessions between clients and social workers involve counselling, so students are taught proper interviewing and counselling methods. Students must learn to approach clients in the right manner to gain their trust, so they can better understand their view points and help them through their crisis.
• Communication is critical to this profession, which includes report writing and presentation. Social workers must exude confidence in their abilities, and prepare programs that will better the lives of people. Students will learn the proper way to write reports and do presentations in social services.
• Two field placements are saved for the final year, helping students connect their classroom discussions with the real world. Students get to experience, first-hand, the different types of oppression and injustices in the society through the eyes of their clients. With this hands-on training, students will gain better understanding of society and its needs.

The combination of academic learning and practical experience at Centennial is invaluable. Employers seek the knowledge and skills that graduates of the social service worker program have accomplished. Graduates are capable of recognizing the diverse needs of individuals, and developing strategies to promote well-being and to enhance their relationships with others and themselves.

Serve Humanity with a Social Service Worker Program

What can be more fulfilling than assisting people in resolving their personal and family problems and enhancing their general well-being? When this tender feeling of empathizing with others is combined with a carefully outlined educational program, it fosters learning that genuinely prepares youngsters to help people improve the quality of life.

And this is exactly what a social service worker program does. It is a professional course that prepares students to develop skills and understanding to serve the society and act as agents of social change. The students are trained to be critical social practitioners, a social service worker, committed to social justice.

Need for Professionally Trained Social Service Workers

Social workers make significant contributions to society by helping individuals, families, groups and communities developing their skills and abilities to resolve their problems. They offer direct-care services to the needy in resolving various issues, such as relationship problems, domestic violence, child abuse, poverty, divorce, mental health issues and other everyday problems.

There are organizations that extend help and assistance to individuals and families. But lack of professionalism and understanding about social problems makes them less effective in their approach. This is where the need for professionally trained social workers arises.

Social Service Worker Program

A social service worker program offers students a range of career options who want to make significant contribution to society. The program combines the knowledge about values and ideologies that contribute to the construction of social problems, human psychology and community service.

Graduates work with different settings such as shelters, schools, housing programs, group homes, mental health, child welfare organizations, hospitals, advocacy coalition, employee assistance programs, correctional facilities and community centers. The exact role of a social worker depends on the organization he/she works for.

The program helps students demonstrate the ability to

• Identify challenges of individuals, families and groups
• Recognize diverse needs of people and availability of resources
• Understand current economic and social system
• Assist needy in achieving their goals
• Develop plans and strategies to help people enhance the quality of their lives
• Advocate for apt access to resources to assist the needy
• Ensure social justice regardless of class, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and ability
• Act as agents for social change

The two-year post secondary diploma includes classroom lectures, field seminars and field placements. The graduates can either pursue their careers or apply for further studies after completion of the program. You can apply with public colleges in Ontario, if you're planning to study in Canada. You need to have a secondary school diploma and English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent. A criminal reference check is also conducted by the agencies associated with the colleges.

The course is one of its kinds and provides students with employment opportunities where they can work full-time as well as part time. It prepares students to work in a variety of settings where they really can touch human lives. They can help people in distress develop skills and abilities to use their own and community resources to resolve the problems.

Social Service Workers Occupational Outlook and Job Responsibilities

Social service workers help individuals and families deal with a variety of personal, social and mental health issues. They assist people in improving their emotional and physical wellness, enhancing the overall quality of their lives.

They recognise diverse needs and experiences of people and help them develop skills and abilities to fulfill their needs and goals. The professionals work in a variety of settings and are committed to social justice and equality to people regardless of their religion, ethnicity, class, gender, race and sexual orientation.

The job of a social worker is stressful and emotionally charged yet fulfilling and satisfying. A formal education and training is required to enter the industry and build a career in community service. Students learn how to recognise and address the needs of individuals, groups and communities, while adhering to the law.

Career Prospects

The social service professionals work in a variety of setting with wide range of populations including children, youth, seniors, women and people with mental illnesses, physical disabilities and homeless and under housed children, women and seniors and assaulted women and children.

They can find employment with schools, hospitals, community service agencies, NGOs, non-profit organizations, psychiatric clinics, substance abuse facilities, home healthcare agencies, child protection agencies, developmental disabilities agencies and old age homes.

Apart from this, they can also assist human services professionals and administrators, social workers and psychological counselors and bring a difference in the lives of people who need emotional, medical, social and legal support to enhance the quality of their lives.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of social workers vary widely depending upon the organizations they are employed with and their experience in social/community service. However, typical work activities, regardless of their job title and employment, include:

• Interacting with individuals and groups and recognising their specific needs
• Preparing case reports and funding proposals
• Providing counseling to emotionally unstable individuals
• Understanding current social policy and relevant legislation and their impacts on social delivery
• Developing plans and strategies that promote self-care, improved job performance and enhanced work relationships
• Working in communities to advocate for change strategies that promote social and economical justice
• Challenging patterns of discrimination and oppression

Social Service Worker Program in Canada

 

Although there is no need to have a diploma or degree to serve the community but it leads you to the right career path. Formal education and training helps individuals in understanding about human psychology, social policy, power and social movements.

Centennial College's two-year post-secondary social service worker program combines classroom learning, guest lectures, group labs, experiential and collaborative learning and intensive field seminars and placement. The students study a wide range of subjects including developmental psychology, power, privilege and oppression, social research and data management, social policy, fundamentals of interviewing and counselling, community development and report presentation.

The program helps students understand how values and ideologies contribute to the construction of social problems and prescribed solutions. They learn to collaborate with people to develop and improve resources that assist people in resolving their problems.

 

Enrolling in a Social Service Worker Program

 

In order to apply for this program, you need:

• Secondary School Diploma certificate or University or equivalent
• English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent

Prior to beginning field placement, you also need to:

• Submit a criminal reference check

The post secondary program in social service prepares you to the world of work in community service.

Social change starts early with college program

Toronto is a rich and diverse community, with people from different walks of life. While diversity is a distinct attribute of the city, it also means that there are plenty of individuals who are living in the disadvantaged side. This includes several situations involving injustice, poverty, violence, racism, substance abuse, mental and health issues, education, affordable housing, transportation and city infrastructure, and other societal issues. As these areas require solutions and support, there are people working toward improving society and the lives of individual. A social service worker is the person for the job who will help build a functioning community.

Social service is a service provided to help the community reach and maintain good living conditions. In order to get into this career, higher education is required. The School of Community and Health Studies at Centennial College offers a two-year program that will lead to this career. The Social Service Worker (1203) program engages students in deep understanding of societal values and issues. From power to oppression, students examine social, political, and economic factors affecting societies.

At Centennial College, every student is to be vigilant about injustice. Students are empowered to stand up for their rights and engage in change to better the community. The school has a signature learning course, called Global Citizenship: From Social Analysis to Social Action, which involves the examination and analysis of social problems. Social Service Worker students can become the leaders in this course with the knowledge they are learning about societal issues. Here are some of the exciting things students will learn in the Social Service Worker:

• Psychological theories examining the stages of human life
• Canada's social policies, including those in related to globalization, unemployment rates, and privatization
  Interviewing and counselling skills
• Promotion of equality and social justice through the creation of a community action plan project
• Productivities and inefficiencies in groups, through a lecture and lab class combination
• On-the-job training from two field placements, where students work with clients who are marginalized, oppressed, and disempowered

With the combination of academic and practical training, these Centennial students are prepared to start their career after graduation. They can expect to work in the healthcare sector, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and community support services. Similar to the knowledge learned from the courses, the responsibilities of a Social Worker involves dealing directly with clients and planning to enhance the community. Here are some of the job tasks graduates can anticipate to complete:

• Assess patient needs and develop and implement an appropriate treatment plan
• Provide counselling services to help patients cope with issues such as illnesses and traumatic events
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records
• Develop therapeutic programs for individuals and group activities
• Collaborate with other healthcare and community support personnel on learning programs

Social work is important in society to ensure that justice and equality are maintained. With the students graduating from Centennial's social service worker program, the Toronto community is in good hands. Graduates can launch their careers in social work, assisting underprivileged individuals, the oppressed, and other groups needing social assistance.

Social Service Workers recognize individual needs and support communities

Social injustice is everywhere and our world is standing up to them gradually with more awareness and programs to assist individuals at risk or those experiencing social issues. A social service worker is present to help these individuals along the way, through their problems, and after as a way of defining their future. Centennial College offers the Social Service Worker (1203) program as a starting point to transform students into qualified professionals facing difficult circumstances while handling their personal facets intact.

The two-year, Ontario College Diploma program is available to high school and mature students at the Ashtonbee campus. However, due to the high demand and competitive nature of the program, students need to present Centennial with a flawless record of transcripts and/or experience to advance the minimum high school diploma and literacy requirements. Once enrolled, students can enjoy the valuable courses offered :-

• Power, Privilege and Oppression :- Students will learn about the structures in society and how people become marginalized, causing them to seek social assistance. The effects that the media portrays will also be covered.
• Community Development :- Theoretical and practical characteristics of community planning and organization will be studied to better form a community free of discrimination and injustice.
• Social Service Work & Pathways to Practice :- Industry trends and practice will be discovered on this course, allowing students to find their career path and learn more about their industry and profession as a Social Service Worker professional.
• Applied Social Research & Data Management :- The analysis of information is just as important as reporting it, and students will critically analyze the data from researched sources in relation to social issues.
• Fundamentals of Interviewing and Counselling: Students will explore and apply different assessments such as problem-solving and crisis intervention methods.
• Developmental Psychology :- Since social service workers experience different issues from individuals with different psychological levels, this course will teach students the fundamentals of developmental psychology and how to apply it in counselling and other situations.
• Social Policy :- Students will learn about the Canadian government and its policies to response to the country’s social problems.

There are more courses and learning outcomes that are added in Centennial's curriculum. In addition to the theory and classroom exercises, students are trained on site at a social service work placement during the course of two semesters. They will apply their knowledge and aptitude as student social workers into skills and experience on the hands-on training provided by agency and organization employers.

Social Service Worker program graduates can expect fulfilling career in the social service sector, working under different industries. Social Service Workers comprises of individuals who work in government, health sectors, social services, and health and social services firms as a support workers for various individuals. There will be different job titles, depending on the work environment, but some would include Child and Youth Worker, Aboriginal Outreach Worker, Addictions Worker, Mental Health Worker, Community Centre Coordinator, Disability Support Worker, and Community and Social Services Worker. The social service worker program at the Centennial College emphasizes on academic credentials and valuable experience to promote healthy lifestyles for the community at large.

Social Service Worker Program Exposes Students to Real-Life Scenarios

In order to serve the various demographics with which a Social Service Worker works - including persons who have been victims of violence or abuse, persons with developmental or physical disabilities, seniors and their families, unemployed persons and youths - he or she must be trained to handle a large range of scenarios. That is exactly the type of training students obtain at Centennial College’s Social Service Worker program.

Priding itself on a practical approach, the two-year Ontario College Diploma offering includes interactive learning opportunities, such as experiences in assessing communities, developing and writing funding proposals, social action plans, as well as simulated client interviews and assessments. In addition, students are engaged in a dynamic learning process with exposure to group labs, guest speakers, experiential learning, collaborative learning and inter-professional opportunities with other students. Lastly, the Social Service Worker program complements in-school lessons through two supported field placements. These are opportunities for students to go from observers and learners to workers who experience entry-level social service placements in learning environments where application and integration of the philosophy as well as function and procedure of the social service system takes place. The students are expected to demonstrate basic employability skills such as being accountable for assigned work, follow up and documentation, integration of policy, practice, values and ethics to the social issues and problems as they directly impact on the agency, their clients and the profession. Among the companies that hire Social Service Worker students after their placements are: Senior Link, Tropicana Community Services, Toronto Social Services, Touchstone Youth Services, and many more. 

 

But what exactly does the Social Service Worker program offer in its curriculum? Through courses, such as Power, Privilege and Oppression; Social Service Work & Pathways to Practice; Social Service Work with Groups; Community Development; Social Policy; Advanced Interviewing and Counselling; and more, students reflect upon how values and ideologies contribute to the construction of social problems and prescribed solutions. They also learn to ally with people to develop and improve resources that assist people to resolve problems and enhance quality of life.
 

Applicants to the Social Service Worker program in Canada are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Students must also have completed the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Non-academic requirements such as a program admission session and English proficiency are also considered. As the Social Service Worker program has a field placement component during which students obtain “real-life” experiences, a criminal reference check might be required. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in an agency and program completion may not be possible.

Become a Social Service Worker To Serve Your Community

The people who have the responsibility of helping the community better itself must be well educated and comfortable with diverse populations  -  including youth, seniors, people with mental illness, people with developmental disabilities, assaulted women and children, the homeless and the under housed. A Social Service Worker is assigned cases and then prioritizes each case based on urgency. The Social Service Worker contacts each client to determine the scope of the situation and then advises, counsels and provides resources and services to meet the client’s needs. He or she logs every contact with each client, maintaining meticulous notes so he may refer to them later or in the event of an audit. Lastly, the Social Service Worker liaises with other social service agencies, partnering with them to best serve the needs of his clients. In essence, social service workers help individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being.

At Centennial College, students can graduate from the Social Service Worker program in two years with an Ontario College Diploma. These graduates are then prepared for entry-level social service work positions with organizations such as shelters, mental health and housing programs, community centres, group homes as well as advocacy coalitions.

Through courses in School of Social Work, such as Developmental Psychology, Practice Skills and Communication, Social Service Work & Pathways to Practice, Applied Social Research & Data Management, Power and Social Movements, Social Policy, Advanced Interview and Counselling, and more, students reflect upon how values and ideologies contribute to the construction of social problems and prescribed solutions. They also use interactive learning opportunities, including experiences in assessing communities, developing and writing funding proposals, social action plans as well as simulated client interviews and assessments to ensure they are mastering the topics covered in the offering. Lastly, students are exposed to group labs, guest speakers, experiential learning, collaborative learning and inter-professional opportunities with other students. 

Students of the Social Service Worker undertaking apply what they have learned prior to graduation in two field placements. Direct work in the field provides students with the opportunity to experience an entry-level social service placement in a learning environment where application and integration of the philosophy, function and procedure of the social service system takes place. A criminal reference check might be required to partake in the Social Service Worker field experience. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in an agency and program completion may not be possible.

Social Service Worker applicants are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Students must also have finished the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Non-academic requirements such as a program admission session and English proficiency are also part of the admission process.

Social Service Workers Offer Important Guidance To Communities

Are you compassionate? Do you have an interest in working with the disadvantaged? Do you rally for women and children's rights? Are you prepared to change the lives of others for the better? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a career as a Social Service Worker may be for you. These professionals work in shelters, community centres, group homes and advocacy coalitions with populations that include: seniors, assaulted women and children, people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, youth and the homeless or under housed. In their positions, Social Service Workers offer guidance and counseling to people in crisis, obtain government funds for clients, arrange foster homes for children, and begin legal action in cases of child abuse. Some specific duties of these professionals include: contacting each client after being assigned a number of cases to determine the scopes of the situation, counseling and providing resources to meet clients' needs, maintaining meticulous notes for documentation purposes, working with other agencies to provide the best services, and more.

In the U.S., the employment of Social Service Workers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Now is a great time to enter the field. To do that, you must attend a post-secondary institution such as Centennial College in Toronto, Ont., which offers a two-year Social Service Worker program that reflects upon how values and ideologies contribute to the construction of social problems and prescribed solutions.

To apply, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Students must also have completed the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Non-academic requirements such as a program admission session and English proficiency are also considered. As the Social Service Worker program has a field placement component during which students obtain “real-life” experiences, a criminal reference check might be required. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in an agency and program completion may not be possible.

Centennial College's School of Social Work offers its students interactive learning opportunities, including experiences in assessing communities, developing and writing funding proposals, social action plans as well as simulated client interviews and assessments. Students also engage in a dynamic learning process with exposure to group labs, guest speakers, experiential learning, collaborative learning and inter-professional opportunities with other students. Specific courses within the program include: Power, Privilege and Oppression (examines the social, political and economic forces that contribute to the oppression and marginality of particular groups within society, and why certain groups are more likely to be clients of social services agencies); Social Service Work with Groups (allows students to explore and become familiar with the group-process, what happens in groups and why); Social Policy (examines how Canada's economic and political structures influence the creation of people's needs); and more.

In-school learning is rounded out by two supported, intensive field placements. Direct work in the field provides the student with the opportunity to experience an entry-level social service placement in a learning environment where application and integration of the philosophy, function and procedure of the social service system takes place.

Centennial College Social Service Worker Program

School of Social Work Provides Meaningful Career Opportunities in The Community

Did you know that in the U.S., the employment of social service workers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2018? Social Workers who have attend a reliable School of Social Work, are employed to help varying populations including: seniors, assaulted women and children, people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, youth and the homeless or under housed. In their positions, Social Workers offer guidance and counseling to people in crisis, obtain government funds for clients, arrange foster homes for children, and begin legal action in cases of child abuse.

In order to ensure that they are Social Workers are carrying out these often-sensitive tasks diplomatically, there are a few steps that must be taken. First, the social worker contacts each client after being assigned a number of cases to determine the scopes of the situation. Clients are then counseled and provided with resources to meet their needs. During this process, the social worker maintains meticulous notes for documentation purposes. He or she also works with other agencies to provide the best services. Tasks vary by where the social service worker is employed.

Before becoming a social worker, you must attend a college or university to gain post-secondary accreditation. One option is Centennial College’s School of Social Work program, which takes two years to complete, results in an Ontario College Diploma and allows you to work at entry-level positions at shelters, community centres, group homes and advocacy coalitions.

Students in the Social Work program will learn to reflect upon how values and ideologies contribute to the construction of social problems and prescribed solutions. They will learn to ally with people to develop and improve resources that assist people to resolve problems and enhance quality of life. This knowledge is achieved in a variety of ways such as interactive learning opportunities, including experiences in assessing communities, developing and writing funding proposals, social action plans as well as simulated client interviews and assessments; engagement in a dynamic learning process with exposure to group labs, guest speakers, experiential learning, collaborative learning and inter-professional opportunities with other students; and participation in a supported, intensive field placement providing the opportunity to apply and integrate classroom learning.

During the application process at the School of Social Work, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Students must also have completed the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Non-academic requirements such as a program admission session and English proficiency are also considered. As the Social Service Worker program has a field placement component during which students obtain “real-life” experiences, a criminal reference check might be required. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in an agency and program completion may not be possible. For more information, please check the School of Social Work’s admissions page.

Video of School of Social Work

Social Service Workers – A Ray of Hope for the Community

Compassionate, caring, selfless, patient and helpful. These are some of the words that come to mind when describing a social service worker. These professionals, with a strong desire to improve people’s lives, do so by helping them cope with and solve everyday issues. The problems social workers help people to tackle range from family and personal disputes to issues stemming from romantic relationships. No matter the situation, the social services worker remains professional, yet understanding.

In the U.S., the employment of social service workers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. These statistics indicate an increasing need for trained professionals. That education needed to become a social worker must be acquired through a college, as organizations that hire these professionals require them to possess a post-secondary diploma. Centennial College’s two-year Social Service Worker program prepares students for entry-level positions with organizations ranging from shelters and community centres to group homes and advocacy coalitions. During the program, students learn a variety of skills that are needed to successfully help people in need. First and foremost, the development and maintenance of professional relationships with clients is taught. It is okay for a social service worker to be compassionate, but lines must be drawn that both parties adhere by based on legal and ethical standards. The skill of keeping relationships professional also helps social workers as they recognize diverse needs of community members, advocate for appropriate access to resources, develop relationships with colleagues to ensure a healthy environment for clients, and support the growth of individuals. Students also learn to: identify strengths and challenges faced by those whom they help; recognize current social policy, relevant legislation and political, social and economic systems; develop strategies for clients’ self-care and improved job performance; work to advocate for change that promotes social and economic justice.

Before considering the Social Worker diploma program, students must first present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Students must also possess compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Non-academic requirements such as a program admission session and English proficiency are also considered. As the Social Service Worker program has a field placement component during which students obtain “real-life” experiences, a criminal reference check might be required. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in an agency and program completion may not be possible.

Upon graduation, students of Centennial College work with varying populations that include youth, seniors, people with mental illness or developmental disabilities, assaulted women and children, the homeless and under housed. Specific examples of tasks that professionals in this field undertake include: offering guidance and counseling to people in crisis, arranging foster homes for children, obtaining government funds for clients and beginning legal action in cases of child abuse. During the execution of these tasks, the social worker takes certain steps. First, he or she contacts each client after being assigned a number of cases to determine the scopes of the situation. Clients are then counseled and provided with resources to meet their needs. During this process, the social worker maintains meticulous notes for documentation purposes. He or she also works with other agencies to provide the best services. Although tasks vary by where the social service worker is employed, there are some things that remain the same. The most important of which is confidentiality. Social workers are seen as confidants who look out for their clients’ best interest and only share information with other professionals who are also there to help.

With the proper education, right attitude and a level head, a social worker is successful in helping those in need. This, for someone who is so selfless, is the best reward for entering this field.

Social Service Worker Program

Centennial College's Full-time Social Services Worker Program at School of Social work

In today's competitive job market, employers are seeking to hire graduates that are highly specialized and well trained. You can't afford to waste your time with an education that won't help you get the job you want. At Centennial College, all our programs are geared for success.

As part of your program, you will not only learn how to use the latest cutting edge tools, but you will also learn how to apply the latest principles from business professionals. To compliment your classroom learning, you will also get hands-on experience in the labs.

Centennial's staff not only believe in providing students with the best teaching experience possible, but also to offer the best guidance and career advice.

Overview
Social service workers are professionals concerned with helping individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. They help people develop their skills and the abilities to use their own resources and those of the community to resolve problems. The social service worker demonstrates the core values of the profession, some of which include a non-judgmental attitude and respect for all peoples regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion and sexual orientation.

Admission Requirements
Centennial College expects students applying for admission to certificate or diploma programs to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Academic Requirements

• Compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent

Non-academic Requirements

• English proficiency will be considered in the admissions process
• Program admission session may be required

Field Placement Requirements

• Some field placement agencies require a criminal reference check prior to student placement. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in these agencies and program completion may not be possible.
• Questions regarding criminal reference checks may be directed to the program contact by calling 416-289-5303.

Monetary Requirements

• Costs for this program are approximately $1,650 each semester
• The course materials fee, excluding first aid training, textbooks and related supplies, is $45 per semester

Source: School of Social Work