The Social Service Worker program, introduced in September 2004, is representative of the School of Social and Community Services’ long-standing commitment to innovation and responsiveness in the social services sector. This program develops the knowledge, value and skills of students that will allow them to work directly with a wide range of people in need. They also identify and act upon many of the systemic barriers that can impede access to social and economic justice in today’s society. Often they are a voice for people who are never heard. Students will examine the expanding professional roles and responsibilities of social service workers in large urban centres and within a rapidly changing society. Individuals interested in applying should have strong communications skills and a commitment to working in the helping professions with a wide range of individuals, groups and communities.

In addition to the theoretical models, methods and skills of social service work practice, you will receive training in group work, life skills methodology, community organizing and development. You will receive 700 hours of field experience supervised by qualified professional practitioners in two different placements. The College maintains relationships with well over 200 agencies operating in a wide range of community, formal, informal and international social service settings.

Many of the faculty have worked or are currently consulting with federal, provincial and municipal governments, hospitals, institutional health and social service organizations, as well as a range of small not-for-profit associations and agencies.

At George Brown College you will be well-prepared to work in diverse urban communities. You will develop the abilities to respond to individual and community issues of homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, mental health concerns, oppression, crisis and other determinants of health and areas of social justice. Family work, group facilitation, advocacy and proposal writing will be integral components of your program of study. The College’s history of preparing thousands of addiction and mental health workers is maintained within the SSW program through placements and courses in substance abuse and mental health.

Note: In compliance with requests from our student placement partners, all students in this program must have a police reference check completed before their field placement. These reference checks, which can take several weeks, are done to protect the clientele of these agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law. The fees for the reference checks vary and must be paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students who are unable to provide a clear police reference check will be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, be unable to complete the program.

FAST-TRACK OPTION

This is a one-year full-time option available to graduates of a baccalaureate program in disciplines such as psychology, sociology, women’s studies, environmental studies, education and cultural anthropology at a university, or to graduates of a college diploma program such as the following:

1. Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate
2. Child and Youth Worker
3. Community Worker
4. Behavioural Science Technology
5. Career and Work Counsellor

Find a complete list of degrees and diplomas considered for admission to the SSW C135 fast-track program.

Successful completion of a 5-week bridging program in the spring/summer semester is required prior to entrance to the fall semester.

Additional fees will apply for the spring/summer semester.