Social Service Worker

Social Service Worker

Your sense of caring may have come naturally or perhaps your life has been touched by circumstances that kindle a sense of empathy and a desire to be of service.  If you have a desire to support people in times of need and crisis, a career in social services may be for you. Up to 90% of our Social Service Worker (SSW) graduates find stable, satisfying work. A shortage of workers is predicted over the next five years.

Choose Social Service Work If You

• Want to help build healthy communities
• Have a strong desire to support others
• Believe in caring for others
• Feel a sense of duty to your community
• Want to work with marginalized populations

Social Work values form the foundation of this beneficial and rewarding program. 

Program Benefits

• Practical interviewing and counselling skills
• Development of written and oral communication
• Promotion of self awareness, personal growth and readiness for practice
• Critical thinking, team building and problem solving skills
• Individual, group and family strategy skills
• Feminist and Indigenous approaches to practice are introduced
• Anti-oppressive perspectives are a foundation of the program

This program prepares you to work as entry level practitioner in the Human Services field. 

Practicums Provide an Opportunity to Explore

Practicums include a variety of services and programs serving a wide range of populations that includes people who live in poverty, are young, are aging, have substance use and/or mental health problems, have behavioral problems, or other issues that interfere with their ability to cope successfully in a demanding society.

You will have the opportunity to demonstrate skills that include

• Advocacy
• Child and youth care
• Employment supports
• Substance use awareness
• Group facilitation
• Community support and individual support
• Problem-solving and communication skills

Transfer Opportunities

Your SSW certificate transfers to two  Human Services diploma specialties at Selkirk and also to related programs at other universities.