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 anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and strength-based perspective, you will learn how to empower and advocate for people to meet their goals and to access needed services and programs.
You will develop an understanding of systemic barriers that impede people’s access to social and economic resources and learn how to work with individuals and communities to address these barriers.
You will be taught by skilled, committed faculty, with real-life work experience in the human services field, on how to work with people of diverse backgrounds who are experiencing challenging life events including but not limited to poverty, settlement challenges, mental health issues and substance dependence, intimate partner violence, and post-traumatic stress.
You will study topics and develop skills in:
- advocacy and case management
- counselling
- family dynamics
- human behaviour and development
- interpersonal skills
- mental health
- working with groups and communities
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-Integrated Learning
As part of this program, you will apply your theoretical knowledge and practice human service skills by participating in 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 field experience, you will also complete coursework and attend a 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
You will gain the skills needed to work with various social service agencies, organizations and centres serving equity-deserving and vulnerable groups such as at-risk women and youth, people experiencing homelessness, newcomer groups to Canada, individuals with disabilities, and people with mental health and addiction challenges. Our graduates typically find work as:
- case managers
- community/family support workers
- intake workers
- mental health workers
- outreach workers
- residential case workers
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.
Related Programs
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
FI Students Partake in Annual Recovery Scattered Remains Lab
Program Highlights
Thu, April 27, 2023
Humber’s Forensic Identification program hosted the annual recovery of surface-scattered remains lab in collaboration with various community partners.
Welcoming Our New Associate Deans
Program Highlights
Wed, April 26, 2023
On February 6th, the FSCS officially welcomed Francis Syms into his new role as Associate Dean of Continuous Professional Learning (CPL).
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Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
