Change lives and make a difference with our Community Support Worker – Social Services 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 – Social Services diploma program equips students with the
skills and competence needed for a challenging but rewarding career in this
field. 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 two practicum placements 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?
- Lifetime 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
- Lifetime tuition-free access to course refreshers if you ever need to retrain and update your skills
- 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
- 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
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- 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 Our 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.