Social Service Worker Program (C119)

The Social Service Worker diploma program combines in-class learning with field experience to teach you the skills you need to succeed. You will study theoretical models and approaches to practice as you develop skills in group facilitation, mental health supports, social innovation and anti-oppressive practice.

Full Description

The Social Service Worker (C119) two-year diploma program. will teach you the knowledge, values and skills you need to work directly with a wide range of people confronting the full breadth of social issues and challenges.

If you have strong interpersonal skills, are committed to working toward a more just and equitable society by examining the dynamics of power, oppression, and social location - this program is for you. As a graduate of this program, you will be prepared for roles in a variety of agency settings, including mental health, homelessness, poverty, substance use and addictions, long-term care, criminal justice, crisis supports, and settlement and immigration.

You will examine social service workers' expanding professional roles and responsibilities in large urban centres and other communities. In addition to learning the theoretical models, methods, and skills of social service work practice, you will study and develop skills in the following:

• group facilitation
• allyship and anti-oppressive practice
• counselling
• substance use and addiction
• social change and proposal development
• values, ethics and professional practice
• mental health well-being

You will also gain real-world experience with a supervised unpaid year-long field placement. In preparation for your the field or clinical placement experiences, you will be required to work in multiple small and large groups within classes and community settings.

Many Social Service Worker program faculty have professional experience in the following areas:

• marginalized communities
• institutional health and social service organizations
• federal, provincial, and municipal governments
• research and initiatives in social innovation
• a range of not-for-profit organizations and agencies
• direct practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities

ACCELERATED SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER PROGRAM OPTION

George Brown offers a full-time, one-year accelerated Social Service Worker (SSW) program to university graduates with a degree in a related field, such as psychology, sociology, women’s studies, environmental studies, education and cultural anthropology. If you have a degree from another discipline, you may be considered if you successfully complete a minimum of six relevant social science courses.

This SSW accelerated program option is also open to college diploma graduates, including:

• Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate
• Child and Youth Care
• Community Worker
• Behavioural Science Technician
• Recreation Management in Gerontology
• Early Childhood Education

SSW Pathways to BSW and MSW

George Brown College is a signatory of Colleges and Institutes Canada’s Indigenous Education Protocols, which reaffirms the importance of structures and approaches required to address Indigenous peoples' learning needs and support the self-determination and socio-economic development of Indigenous communities.

In response to this and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, the Social Service Worker program is committed to developing the capacity of its students to work with Indigenous individuals, families, groups, and communities. The faculty acknowledges the support of Indigenous Education and Services at George Brown College and the Negahneewin Council at Confederation College, who have helped them with this process. The Indigenous Learning Outcomes guide the integration of Indigenous learning into the curriculum.

Your Field Education Options

As a student in this program, field education will provide you with a significant learning opportunity.

In year two, you will have the chance to participate in a year-long unpaid field placement experience with a community agency for approximately 600 hours. While in placement, you will be supervised by qualified professional practitioners.

George Brown maintains relationships with agencies operating in a wide range of institutional and community-based settings throughout the Greater Toronto Area to which you will have access to. Using your own job search skills, assisted by our field placement coordinator, field faculty and GBC career services, you will take the lead to secure your own unpaid placement experience that reflects your interest

NOTE: In compliance with the requirements of our field partners, all students in this program are required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check before commencing 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 by region and must be paid by you. You will be responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” The Social Service Worker (SSW) program will assist you in applying for the vulnerable sector check once you begin the program.

Without a "clear" Vulnerable Sector Check, you may find that your choice of placement is limited. In this situation, you will be encouraged to work with the field education coordinator to identify placement opportunities that do not require the Vulnerable Sector Check. You will also be encouraged to inquire and apply for Suppression and Destruction of Record or Record Suspension (formerly known Pardon) at your specific regional police services in order to prepare for your future career or employment. For more information, please visit the Clinical Pre-placement website.