Community and Social Service Workers

HOW TO GET THERE

Typical pathway

A Canadian secondary-school student often starts by taking English, social sciences, and courses that build communication and computer skills, then looks for a college diploma or other postsecondary training in social service work, human services, or a related field. Some employers may accept other combinations of education and supervised experience, depending on the province, agency, and role. Volunteering or part-time work with youth, shelters, community centres, or helping agencies can provide useful early experience. After graduation, many people begin in entry-level support roles and learn on the job while working with clients and community resources.

THE WORK

What you may do

Legacy duties

• Interview clients to obtain case history and background information
• Assess clients' relevant skill strengths and deficits
• Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
• Assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, assistance with moves, day care and other referral services
• Prepare intake reports
• Counsel clients living in group homes and half-way houses, supervise their activities and assist in pre-release and release planning
• Participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs
• Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits
• Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems
• Refer clients to other social services
• Advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions
• Provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
• Implement and organize the delivery of specific services within the community
• Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social services or health care professionals
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions
• Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
• Co-ordinate the volunteer activities of human service agencies, health care facilities and arts and sports organizations
• Maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research.
• May supervise social service support workers and volunteers.

SKILLS TO BUILD

Skills used in this Career