
About this program
Social Service Worker (Pembroke)
In the two-year Social Service Worker Ontario College Diploma program, you gain the skills and knowledge to work effectively with individuals, groups and communities dealing with personal and social problems.
Through theory and practical experiences, the program prepares you to support a wide range of client groups and communities who are in the process of change or growth, including those impacted by issues such as:
- loss and separation
- family crisis
- poverty
- violence
- homelessness
- addiction
- disability
- unemployment
- oppression
- resettlement issues
As a student, you complete two field placement experiences totaling more than 500 hours. You identify, practice and incorporate theoretical knowledge at a level that provides top client service. As well, you strengthen the bond between yourself and the community by participating in various applied research projects and direct practice opportunities. With these opportunities, you are ready to work on the front line of social services.
Admission requirements
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Have effective interpersonal skills.
- Are committed to addressing social issues, such as poverty, homelessness, oppression and human rights.
- Understand the importance of effective communication with clients and community partners.
- Are team-oriented and enjoy working with others.
- Deal effectively with stressful situations.
College Eligibility
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
- Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
- General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
- Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $50 (subject to change) will be charged.
Program Eligibility
- English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
- Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the college website.
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Learn moreProgram content
Level: 01
- Communications I
- Preparation for Field
- Social Service Worker Interviewing
- Addictions
- Social Welfare in Canada
- Social Service Worker Ethics
- Developmental Psychology I
Level: 02
- Communication Skills Social Service Workers
- Group Work
- Crisis Intervention
- Placement Seminar I
- Placement I - Community Agency Orientation
- Legislation and Advocacy
- Developmental Psychology II
Level: 03
- Community Development
- Applied Social Service Work Practice
- Working with Families
- Mental Health
- Placement Seminar II
- Placement II
Level: 04
- Assessment Planning and Practice in Social Service Work
- Placement Seminar III
- Aging in Society
- Placement III
- Choose one from equivalencies:
- General Education Elective
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the college website for more information.
Program delivery
Other Delivery Options:
- Part-time On Campus
Tuition
For more information about tuition fees, please visit the college website.
Qualification
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Develop respectful and collaborative professional and interpersonal relationships that adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to social service work.
- Record information accurately and communicate effectively in written, digital, verbal and non-verbal ways, in adherence to privacy and freedom of information legislation, in accordance with professional and workplace standards.
- Integrate a practice framework within a service delivery continuum, addressing the needs of individuals, families and communities at micro, mezzo, macro and global levels, and work with them in achieving their goals.
- Plan and implement accessible and responsive programs and services, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities, and meeting these needs.
- Examine current social policy, relevant legislation, and political, social, historical, and/or economic systems and their impacts for individuals and communities when delivering services to the user/client.
- Develop strategies and approaches that support individual clients, groups, families and communities in building the capacity for self-advocacy, while affirming their dignity and self-worth.
- Work from an anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice, recognizing the capacity for resilience and growth of individuals and communities when responding to the diverse needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations to act as allies and advocates.
- Develop strategies and approaches to implement and maintain holistic self-care as a member of a human service profession.
- Work with individuals, groups, families and their communities to ensure that service provider strategies promote social and economic justice, and challenge patterns of oppression, discrimination and harassment, and sexual violence with clients, coworkers and communities.
- Develop the capacity to work with the Indigenous individual, families, groups and communities while respecting their inherent rights to self-determine, and to identify and address systemic barriers that produce ill-effects, developing appropriate responses using approaches such as trauma informed care practice.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Career paths
Graduates may secure employment as Social Service Workers in provincial, municipal and private social service agencies including:
- social service departments
- long-term care facilities
- addiction and mental health services
- schools and programs for children and youth
- community, health and resource centres
- community shelters
- residential treatment programs
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About this institute

Algonquin College
Consider Algonquin’s unique campuses Algonquin College, located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, offers an experience that includes personalized learning and industry-ready skills through field-work, work placement and co-op. With more than 300 programs, including degrees and graduate certificates, we have the...
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