Social Service Worker

Fanshawe College

Program Overview

The Social Services Worker program is a two-year Ontario College Diploma. Students will learn human behaviour and psychology, individual and social problems, and proven social techniques. Graduates will enter this competitive field with the necessary practical skills and hands-on experience to begin a career within private or public social agencies and programs.

Career Prospects
Graduates of Vanessa’s social service worker program can find employment in a wide range of settings, including group homes, shelters, health care clinics, youth programs, and a variety of other social agencies and government departments. Graduates will find their ideal job on their own, and Vanessa’s Career Services department provides additional job search assistance.

The following are some examples of the jobs that Vanessa students in this program have taken after graduation.
1- Mental Health Worker: Provides short-term support to ensure the personal safety of those who need help, motivates others, and helps them resolve crises while maintaining a calm and respectful environment.
2- Caseworkers: Respond to inquiries for program information from diverse client groups, the public, advocacy groups, and agencies.
3- Youth Shelter Leaders: Provide leadership while overseeing shelter activities, including case management, recruitment and selection, professional development, and monthly statistical reporting.
4- Students also have the option to transfer credits after graduation to the University of Western Ontario, Laurier University, Ryerson University, University of Windsor, Brecher University College, University of Guelph-Humber, Brooke University, Humber College, Huron University College, King’s University College, Ontario University of Science and Technology, Lake Superior University, Laurentian University, St. Regis College, Royal Roads University in Canada, Davenport University in the United States, Atlantic University of Technology in Ireland, Southeastern University of Technology, Australia Davenport University in the United States, Atlantic Institute of Technology in Ireland, Southeast Institute of Technology, and Griffith University in Australia.

Courses

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Group 1

Course Code Course Name Course Credits
WRIT-1094 Reason & Writing 1 for Community Studies 3
BSCI-1247 Group Development & Practice 3
SOCW-1057 Foundation to Community Building 2
SOCW-1058 Social Welfare Systems 3
SOCI-1006 Sociology for Social Service Workers 3
PSYC-1130 Psychology for Social Service Workers 3

Group 2
TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE:
(MINIMUM GRADE C)

SOCW-1059 Counselling 1 3

Gen Ed – Take a 3 credit General Education elective course.
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Group 1

Course Code Course Name Course Credits
COMM-3082 Communications for Community Studies 3
RSCH-1002 Ethical Principles-Research & Evaluation 3
SOCW-1060 Professional Practice-SSW 2
SOCW-1052 Social Work With Families-Intro 2
SOCW-1061 Human Development & Social Work 3
EDUC-3017 Strategies for Effective Communication 3

Group 2
TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE:
(MINIMUM GRADE C)

SOCW-1062 Counselling 2 3

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Group 1

Course Code Course Name Course Credits
SOCW-3021 SSW Practice & Intervention 2
FLDP-3050 Social Work Field Practice 1 8
SOCW-3030 Social Work Assessment With Families 3
SOCW-1054 Social Work in Mental Health 1 3
SOCW-1053 Community Organization & Development 1 3

Group 2
TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE:
(MINIMUM GRADE C)

SOCW-3036 Counselling 3 3

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

Group 1

 

Course Code Course Name Course Credits
SOCW-3032 Analysis of Social Interventions 3
SOCW-3031 Social Work in Mental Health 2 3
FLDP-3051 Social Work Field Practice 2 8
SOCW-3037 Community Organization & Development 2 3

 

Group 2

TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE:

(MINIMUM GRADE C)

 

SOCW-5003 Group Facilitation & Counselling-Adv 3

 

Gen Ed – Electives

Take 3 General Education Credits –

Normally taken in Level 2

1. Develop respectful and collaborative professional and interpersonal relationships and adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards consistent with social service work.

2. Accurately record and effectively communicate information in written, digital, verbal, and non-verbal formats in accordance with professional and workplace standards and in compliance with privacy and freedom of information regulations.

3. Integrate a framework of practice within a service system that addresses the needs of individuals, families, and communities at the micro, mezzo, macro, and global levels, and works with them to achieve their goals.

4. Plan and implement accessible and responsive programs and services that recognize the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families, and communities and meet those needs.

5. Examine current social policies, relevant legislation, and political, social, historical, and economic systems and their impact on individuals and communities when providing services to users or clients.

6. Develop strategies and approaches to support individual clients, groups, families, and communities in building their capacity for self-advocacy while affirming their dignity and self-worth.

7. Work from an anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice that recognizes individual and community resilience and growth as a supporter and advocate when responding to the diverse needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations.

8. Develop strategies and approaches to implement and sustain holistic self-care as a member of the human services profession.

9. Work with individuals, groups, families, and communities to ensure that service providers’ strategies promote social and economic justice and resistance to oppression, discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence against clients, colleagues, and communities.

10. evelop the capacity to work with local Aboriginal people, families, groups, and communities while respecting their inherent right to autonomy, identify and address systemic barriers that may have adverse effects, and develop appropriate responses using methods such as trauma-informed care practices.

Admission Requirements

OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U),
University/College (M), or Open (O) stream WITH:
– Any Grade 12 English (C) or (U)
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE)
OR
Human Services Foundation Ontario College Certificate*
(Note: minimum final average required is 2.0 GPA) AND:
– standing in the required course stated above
OR
General Arts and Science Ontario College Certificate**
(Note: minimum final average required is 2.0 GPA) AND:
– standing in the required course stated above
OR
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED)
OR
Mature Applicant with standing in the required course stated above.
This is a competitive program; the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of seats available. Please see www.fanshawec.ca/hcp for details.
https://www.fanshawec.ca/admission-finance/how-to-apply/competitive-programs

Programs Details

Program Code : SSW1

Credential : Post Secondary Diploma (2-year)

Duration : 60 weeks

Intakes - Open

Sept 2025
Woodstock/Oxford Regional Campus
Jan 2025
Toronto Campus
May 2025
Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus

Tuition Fee

  • London Campus $31078.28  CAD / Year
  • Simcoe Campus $30542.56  CAD / Year
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