Social Service Worker
Program Overview
Humber’s Social Service Worker diploma program prepares you to work with people in a professional helping role. Approaching your education from an individual and a community perspective, you will learn how to empower and advocate for people to meet their goals and to access needed services and programs.
Skilled, committed faculty with real-life work experience in the human services field teach with a focus on promoting equity and addressing barriers people face on the basis of race, class, disabilities, gender or sexual orientation.
You will study topics such as human behaviour and development; interpersonal skills; counselling skills; family dynamics; legislation and social policy; and how to work effectively with groups and communities. You will develop the skills needed to intervene in crisis situations and to work with a broad range of people including those experiencing poverty, settlement challenges, domestic violence, mental health issues and substance dependance, post-traumatic stress, and other challenging life events.
The Social Service Worker program is also offered part time.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
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.
Work Placement
As part of this program, you will apply your theoretical knowledge and practise human service skills by participating in Field Experiences totaling 600 hours with up to two organizations. You will work in the field (typically unpaid) two days per week over Semesters 2, 3 and 4 (200 hours each semester). Alongside this experience, you will also complete course work and attend seminar class.
With the support of a dedicated field advisor, students will use job search skills to find, apply for and interview with organizations in order to secure their Field Experience. Once in the field, you will be supported by a seminar instructor who will guide you as you build your confidence and professional reputation.
Advisory Committee
Our advisory panel is made up of professionals with extensive experience in Human Services in a variety of settings in which Social Service Workers are employed. Some of these professionals are graduates of our program and many of their agencies host student placement opportunities.
Your Career
Prepare for work in women’s shelters, community centres, refugee centres, youth employment agencies, hostels, social assistance agencies including group homes, and in agencies in the justice system. You will deal with a range of clients including youth, seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Gain skills needed to become a:
- case manager
- community/family support worker
- intake worker
- mental health or outreach worker
- residential case worker
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW)
Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSSW).
Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA)
Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA).
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Program Availability
Human Services Program Video
Watch the video to find out why our graduates entered the program and how it prepared them for a career in the Human Services sector.
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
About the COIsNews Feed
Experience Humber
Program Highlights
Thu, November 03, 2022
On Saturday, June 4, 2022, we excitedly welcomed students back to the Lakeshore Campus for our Experience Humber Event.
Ontario College Fair 2022
Program Highlights
Thu, November 03, 2022
Humber College had a strong presence in the 2022 Ontario College Fair, which took place October 19th and October 20th
No news at this time.
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On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
