Social Service Worker SSW

Holland Code: S (Social)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website SSW 1 or SSW2 for details. Applicants to the fast track program must have a college diploma or a bachelor’s degree.

Arts & Literacy High school courses in Raising Healthy Children, Working with Infants and Young Children, Challenge and Change in Society, Families in Canada, and/or Human Development throughout the Lifespan would be beneficial preparation for this program. Report and essay writing, reading various mediums (textbooks, articles), and presentations are necessary skills.

Technology Basic computer skills required (Microsoft Office, email, Internet, checking student portal daily).

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Respect for diversity
• Strong ethical principles
• Empathic understanding
• Ability to examine self (development & awareness)
• Ability to accept and apply constructive feedback
• Commitment to self-care
• Ability to adjust/adapt quickly
• On-going desire to learn
• Ability to work in groups and with individuals
• Active listening
• Interest in managing people
• Fostering positive relationships
• Assertiveness and conflict management skills
• Prepared to work with people in vulnerable situations
• Strong communication and organization skills
• Multi-tasking

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Registered Social Service Worker.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Community health centres, mental health clinics, schools, advocacy organizations, government departments, social service agencies, child welfare settings, family service agencies, correctional facilities, social housing organizations, family courts, employee assistance programs and private counselling, school boards, or consultation agencies.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Working conditions vary widely.
• May divide time between face to face contact with clients and completing assessments, case studies, plans and reports.
• May work in an office environment, but travel to client’s home or social service agencies may also be required.
• May require evening or weekend work.

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Family counselling agencies providing assessment, counselling, treatment and referral services to individuals and their families in areas such as parenting and marriage counselling
• Health care teams in mental health and addiction clinics or home care agencies
• community health teams working with patients and family Members to overcome emotional, behavioural, social and financial difficulties
• Correctional services working with youth and adult offenders
• the education system- providing counselling and consultation services for students, parents and teachers
• Government social service departments- delivering social policy and advocacy programs such as income support programs, child protection programs, childcare programs or foster care and adoption programs
• Community agencies- developing prevention and intervention programs to meet community needs (for example, addressing problems such as homelessness, family violence, addictions, racism)
• Residential settings- providing counselling, role modelling, crisis intervention, assessment, advocacy and referral services for children, adolescents, people with disabilities, mental health challenges or addictions or the elderly
• Employment assistance programs and private agencies- providing employment related assessment, counselling, treatment and referral services
• Program development, organizational development and evaluation
• Social research, planning and advocacy organizations
• Community and economic development with disadvantaged groups
• International social work in developing countries
• Settlement, immigration and other cross cultural services for new Canadians
• Providing assessment and counselling services, training seminars or services related to policy development, program planning, evaluation and research
• For a complete list see this website

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

• Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW)
• Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA)
• Canadian Association of Social Workers
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Opportunities for further development or education

• Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate certificates in Autism and Behavioural Science .
• Graduates may transfer some credit earned in this program towards a university degree. Multiple articulation agreements are available.

Last Modified: January 23, 2024