Do you have a passion for supporting and uplifting others in need? Do you feel an eagerness to help vulnerable members of the community overcome their personal struggles?
If you feel comfortable working with vulnerable groups in a challenging but rewarding career, then you might have what it takes to become a community and social service worker.
With Sprott Shaw’s Community Support Worker – Social Services program, you can pursue a career that truly changes lives and makes a difference.
What Does a Community Support Worker Do?
Community and social service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services including life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs, and more.
Working as a community support worker means that you most likely won’t have any two days that are the same. A role like this is ideal for someone who is looking for a dynamic and ever-evolving work environment away from routine.
Some of the responsibilities community support workers are tasked with include:
- Interviewing clients to understand their case history and background information
- Helping clients determine options and develop plans of action while providing support and assistance at the same time
- Locating community resources for clients include housing, employment, transportation, day-care, and legal, medical, and financial assistance
- Advising clients living in group homes and half-way houses
- Measuring the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking behavioural changes and responses
- Providing crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
What Does It Take to Become a Community Support Worker?
The nature of the community support field requires workers who are dedicated, strong-hearted, and compassionate.
Individuals who pursue careers in this field will be working predominantly with vulnerable members of society including homeless persons, children with special needs, Indigenous people, pregnant teenagers, and individuals with substance abuse problems and addictions. While working with these members of society may be challenging, it is extremely rewarding for a community support worker to see the progress their clients make in their lives for the better. With the nature of this role, workers need to also feel comfortable working with vulnerable groups without getting emotionally involved in their cases.
In some instances, an experience you’ve been through can push you to want to make a positive change not only for yourself, but for others as well. Maybe you’ve gone through addiction in the past but are recovering now and want to help others make that change too.
Sometimes, personal experience and compassion are all it takes to make a forward-looking difference in the lives of others. With our Community Support Worker – Social Services program, you can do exactly that. Applicants for our program will need to have the heart to want to help others grow and learn.
What Qualifications Are Needed to Become a Community Support Worker?
With this career path, having post-secondary education and experience are beneficial in getting hired. Having the right industry education, training, and knowledge help stand out against other candidates.
At Sprott Shaw College, students who take our Community Support Worker – Social Services program will receive training and certification in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), FOODSAFE Level 1, and Standard First-Aid with CPR/AED.
Our program trains students to help clients manage personal and social problems through one-on-one and group support. Included in the program are also two practicum placement opportunities so students can gain relevant work experience before graduation.
As a candidate, these certifications and qualifications will help push you to the top of a hiring manager’s shortlist and improve your chances of being hired.
To learn more about our Community Support Worker – Social Services program, contact one of our advisors below.
