Social Service Worker Program (C119)

Social Service Worker (SSW) is an innovative two-year program designed to guide you in developing the knowledge, values and skills to work directly with a wide range of people confronting the full breadth of social issues and challenges. You will have the opportunity to learn to identify and understand systemic barriers that can impede access to social and economic justice in today's society, and work with those most affected to break down those barriers.

Students will examine the expanding professional roles and responsibilities of Social Service Workers in large urban centres and within a rapidly changing society.

In addition to the theoretical models, methods and skills of social service work practice, you will learn about:

• group facilitation
• advocacy and anti-oppressive practice
• proposal writing
• life skills methodology
• community development
• mental health
• substance use
• counselling skills

Apply to this program if you:

• have strong communications skills
• are committed to working in the social service profession
• enjoy working with a wide range of individuals, groups and communities

Many of the Social Service Worker faculty have professional experience with:

• federal, provincial and municipal governments
• hospitals
• marginalized communities
• institutional health and social service organizations
• a range of not-for-profit associations and agencies
• clinical practice

FAST-TRACK OPTION

There is a one-year Social Service Worker 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.

This fast-track option is also open to graduates of a college diploma program including:

• Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate
• Child and Youth Care
• Community Worker
• Activation Co-ordinator/Gerontology
• Early Childhood Education

In preparation for the field or clinical placement, students will be required to work in multiple small and large groups within classes and community settings.

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

SSW Pathways to BSW and MSW

You will have the opportunity to participate in approximately 600 hours of field experience supervised by qualified professional practitioners in two different placements.

The college maintains relationships with hundreds of agencies operating in a wide range of institutional and community-based settings, both large and small, and throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENTS

The George Brown College School of Social and Community Services has been offering placement opportunities in Jamaica and Cuba for a number of years. This option is only available to students in the full-time two-year program (C119).

Note: In compliance with the requirements of our student placement partners, all students in this program must have a police vulnerable sector check completed before their field placement. These reference checks, which can take up to four months, 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.

Note: Under review and subject to change effective Fall 2018.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Develop and maintain professional relationships which adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to social service work.
2. Identify strengths, resources, and challenges of individuals, families, groups, and communities to assist them in achieving their goals.
3. Recognize diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families, and communities to promote accessible and responsive programs and services.
4. Identify current social policy, relevant legislation, and political, social, and/or economic systems and their impacts on service delivery.
5. Advocate for appropriate access to resources to assist individuals, families, groups, and communities.
6. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community partners.
7. Develop strategies and plans that lead to the promotion of self‐care, improved job performance, and enhanced work relationships.
8. Integrate social group work and group facilitation skills across a wide range of environments, supporting growth and development of individuals, families, and communities.
9. Work in communities to advocate for change strategies that promote social and economic justice and challenge patterns of oppression and discrimination.

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in fall 2017. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in fall 2018 and at later dates.

International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.