Change lives and make a difference with our Community Support Worker program
Start learning from home today with online classes!
We know it’s a challenging time, but you don’t have to put your life on hold. At Sprott Shaw, new and incoming students can register through our online admissions process and start learning online with many of our programs. Through remote “face-to-face” instructor-led classes, students can experience interactive learning in the comfort and safety of their own homes. Contact us to learn more.
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, support programs, and more. A career in this field
involves working with vulnerable groups including homeless persons, children
with special needs, Indigenous peoples, pregnant teenagers, and people with
substance abuse problems and addictions.
Our Community
Support Worker diploma program equips students with the skills and competence
needed for a challenging but rewarding career in this field. This program is a
condensed version of our Community
Support Worker – Social Services program.
Graduates
will be trained to help clients manage personal and social complications
through one-on-one and group support. Graduates will also be trained to
evaluate the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients’
behavioural changes and responses to interventions.
This program
includes a practicum placement so students can gain relevant work experience
before graduation.
Demand for Community Support Workers
The demand
for community support workers is very high. The increasing population of
vulnerable groups in BC will require more workers in this field. Growth is also
expected in the areas of First Nations outreach and community development,
especially for youth and in rehabilitation.
Why Study at Sprott Shaw?
- Career and
professional development success courses to help create a
career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism,
and identify the target markets and employment resources for the community
support field
- Preparation and
orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write
papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for
exams
- All-inclusive program
costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees,
assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, graduation
fees, practicum fees, and much more
- Access to dedicated
Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with
resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search
after graduation
- Certificates including Nonviolent
Crisis Intervention (NVCI), FoodSafe Level 1, Standard First Aid with
CPR-C/AED, WHMIS, and eSuicideTALK
- Practicum
opportunities with recognized organizations
across BC including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Salvation Army,
Positive Living Society BC, YMCA, posAbilities Association of BC, Hope for
Freedom Society, Union Gospel Mission, John Howard Society, and more
- Multiple start dates so you can start your
education when you want to without the wait
Learning Objectives
- Administer and implement social assistance programs and community services
- Assist clients in dealing with personal and social problems
- Interview clients to obtain case histories and background information
- Prepare intake reports
- Assess clients’ progress
- Refer clients to other social services when necessary
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs
- Maintain good working relationships with other social service agencies
Where Do Graduates Work?
Community
support workers are employed by social service agencies, government agencies,
group homes, correctional facilities, and other establishments.
Graduates of
our program may also work in schools as paraprofessional educators, helping
children with special needs alongside occupational therapists or providing
respite care for families with children of special needs. This work is done
under the supervision of a social worker or health care professional.