Get the Skills to Become a Social Service Worker
39-Week Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health Training Online OR On Campus
Social Service Workers work directly with clients living in assisted living facilities, group homes, overnight shelters, and residential treatment centers. Professionals play an important role in the lives of others by developing client treatment that is based on client history but also on research and clinical experience.
This program will provide you with more versatile career opportunities than our standard Social Service Worker program. You will have the skills & training to provide support for people with developmental disabilities, addiction challenges, and at-risk populations in a variety of settings in the community.
If you’re a caring, compassionate person with a strong desire to help others, you could be well-suited to succeed as a Social Service Worker.
Why Upskilling is Essential in Today’s Job Market
Like many Canadians, you may be concerned about the rising cost of living and the need to find ways to increase your income potential. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, training to obtain new qualifications could be a great solution.
Discovery Community College is dedicated to offering convenient, supportive, and affordable career training. With a range of funding options available, there has never been a better time to invest in upskilling. Contact us today to learn how we can help you get ahead in today’s job market.
Social Service Worker
39-Week Certificate | $47,840 median annual salary*
- Expected Job Openings in BC (2022-2032): 11,460**
- Occupations include Social Service Worker, Care Aide
NOC 4212
*https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/wages-occupation/5090/BC visited on August 17, 2023. Salary source for social service workers in British Columbia with the lowest 10% earning $38,168 to the highest 10% of workers earning $64,480.
**https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/social-and-community-service-workers visited on August 17, 2023.
Becoming a Qualified Social Service Worker
If you’re looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career, look no further than a career as a Social Service Worker. At Discovery Community College, we’re proud of our history of trainee success.
Discovery Community College offers two care aide courses in BC: Social Service Worker & Social Service Worker and Community Mental Health. Both of these programs are designed to equip aspiring Social Service Workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic field of social services.
During the Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health course, you will learn:
- Communication
- Personal Growth
- Life Span Development
- Mental Health
- Supportive Care
- Professional Growth
- And more!
Career Opportunities
This program provides learners with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required to work in a personal support role with individuals in a variety of care aide settings. Adding the Community Mental Health track to this course enables you to find employment in additional settings, including institutional living programs. Ready-to-work graduates of social service courses are qualified to work in areas such as:
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Group Home Settings
- Nursing Homes
- In-Home Care
- And more!
There has never been more funding for career training than there is right now. A variety of funding opportunities may be available to you, including WorkBC, Student Aid BC, and employment grants. An experienced Financial Aid Representative is available to answer any questions you may have, can assist with potential funding applications and help you discover the best options for your specific needs.
Is a Career as a Social Service Worker Right for You? Take the Discovery Community College “Social Service Worker Career Training Readiness Quiz”
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get your Social Service Worker career training readiness score now >>
Community Support Worker: Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health Certificate
Total: 804 hours, 39 weeks
- Orientation (20 hours)
- Introduction to Microsoft Computer Skills (60 hours)
- Workshops: Standard First Aid (16 hours) & FoodSafe Level 1 (8 hours)
- CSW – Social Service Worker (300 hours)
- CSW – Community Mental Health (300 hours)
- CSW – Practicum Placement (100 hours)
Communication (interpersonal) (76 hours)
- learn and use the communications skills that will facilitate effective working and personal relationships with individuals that require assistance and with members of the care team; these skills will also provide a behavioural foundation for conflict management and negotiation
Personal Growth (24 hours)
- use life skills as problem-solving behaviours appropriately and responsibly in the management of personal affairs
- take care of your physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs
- plan personal growth and manage change
Life Span Development (48 hours)
- learn the theory and concepts of human development from prenatal to elderly
- describe the parameters of typical physical, emotional, intellectual, moral, spiritual development throughout the human life span
Mental Health (140 hours)
- understand the historical and current context of human services in Canada, with an emphasis on mental health and substance-related problems
Supportive Care (76 hours)
- use skills and knowledge, adaptive devices, and personal care plans to care for and support individuals that require support
Professional Growth (36 hours)
- gain a comprehensive overview of the range of responsibilities and competencies in the profession
- know the relevant governing legislation and community agencies
- become competent lifelong learners and highly ethical professional practitioners
Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health Certificate
Upon successful completion of this program, you will have the skills to facilitate effective working and personal relationships with individuals in ways that actively support the differently abled person’s ability to cope with daily concerns of living, and with emotional and psychological development.
The focus of this program is on the personal care of self and others and preparation for the profession of Social Service Worker. Typical human development is examined.
Locations:
Delivery: On campus & online with practicum placements in your local community.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet these requirements prior to acceptance into the program:
• Grade 12 graduation from BC secondary school or equivalent (ABE)*, or equivalent* from another school system OR be a mature applicant (must be 19 years old on the first day of class)
• If a mature applicant, then provide proof of completion of grade 10 English from a BC secondary school or equivalent* from another school system or complete one of the following assessments:
Accuplacer
• Next generation reading minimum score 230
• Next generation writing minimum score 230
Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) within the last year
• Listening 6
• Speaking 6
• Reading 6
• Writing 6
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Academic or General test within the last two years
• Overall band score of 5.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each of speaking, listening, writing, reading.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Overall score of 46-59
• Reading 8-12
• Writing 18-20
• Speaking 16-17
• Listening 7-11
Applicants must meet with a DCC official and complete the required documents.
*Equivalent:
For detailed information about equivalencies please speak with your DCC Admissions Advisor. Entrance requirements may be met with evidence of secondary and post-secondary studies at an equivalent level, and/or with successful assessment testing.
Criminal Record Checks
Discovery Community College will submit each applicant’s criminal record check (CRC) on-line to the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP). The status of the CRC does not automatically prevent an applicant from attending this program. However, any CRC that reveals “relevant” offences may limit work experience options.
Some work experience hosts may require their own RCMP criminal record check. It is the student’s responsibility to provide this directly to the host. We recommend that students apply to the RCMP for their criminal record check at the start of their first semester. If the criminal record check reveals information that raises concerns relevant to the placement the host may decline the placement.
Immunizations
Some work experience hosts require that students have a negative TB skin test or chest x-ray. It is the student’s responsibility to book this test at least six weeks before their work experience. Not having this test may restrict your choice of work experience host.
You should have a negative skin test dated within six months of the work experience placement. If you had a positive skin test (10 mm of induration or greater) at your last test, then a negative chest x-ray within one year of the placement is required.
Important Note
The Community Support Worker program is not equivalent to, or recognized as, a BC Health Care Assistant program. Graduates are not eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (BC CACHWR).
Domestic Fees
Community Support Worker –
Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health
Certificate Fees
Application Fee: $100.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $13,599.85
Textbooks & Supplies: $432.77
Total: $14,183.31
International Fees
Community Support Worker –
Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health
Certificate (International) Fees
Application Fee: $150.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $17,522.3
Textbooks & Supplies: $432.77
Total: $18,155.76
Practical Experience
At Discovery, we believe that you should not only complete training with theoretical knowledge, but with real experience in the industry. That’s why learners in the Social Service Worker Program will complete a practicum placement during their training.
Your internship enables you to apply what you’ve learned in a real setting and gain not only experience to put on your resume, but also industry connections, references, and confidence. We help you feel supported by making sure that our program gives you access to all the tools you need to secure your first job and build your career.
Convenient Learning Options
At Discovery Community College, you don’t have to put your life on hold to start career training. We offer accessible learning including on-campus and blended on-campus with online learning options.
Many of our learners are raising families and some continue to work while training. We will help you choose a schedule that works for you.
International Learners
As an international learner at Discovery Community College, our co-op based training programs allows you to gain real-world experience in the community with a cooperative work experience placement upon completion of the program.
Over 35 Years of Success
Discovery Community College has been training learners just like you for successful careers for over 35 years. Our college is a well-respected institution, who has formed alliances with numerous community partners. We are also registered with and designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch of British Columbia, formally PPSEC, since 1996.
Is a Rewarding Career as a Social Service Worker Right For You?
If you’re interested in learning more about Social Service Worker training and exploring whether this might be the career path for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
Our friendly and knowledgeable Admissions Representatives are happy to answer any questions you may have and can help with everything from courses to financial aid.
To speak with an Admissions Rep right away, give us a call at 1-877-315-5241.