Community and Social Service Workers (NOC 4212)
Description
Community and social service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. They are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, school boards, correctional facilities and other establishments.
Return to top
Example Titles
- aboriginal outreach worker
- addictions worker
- behaviourial aide
- child and youth worker
- community development worker
- community service worker
- crisis intervention worker
- developmental service worker
- drop-in centre worker
- family service worker
- fincial assistance worker
- group home worker
- income maintenance officer
- live skills instructor
- rehabilitation worker
- social services worker
- veteran services officer
- welfare and compensation officer
- women's shelter supervisor
- youth worker
>> View all titles
Return to top
Classified Elsewhere
- Educational Counsellors (4143)
- Employment Counsellors (4213)
- Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors (4153)
- Managers in Social, Community and Correctional Services (0314)
- Probation and Parole Officers and Related Occupations (4155)
- Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation and Sport (5254)
- Social Workers (4152)
Return to top
Duties
Community and social service workers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Interview clients to obtain case history and background information
- Assess client's relevant skill strengths and deficits
- Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
- Assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical, financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, assistance with moves, day care and other referral services
- Prepare intake reports
- Counsel clients living in group homes and half-way houses, supervise their activities and assist in pre-release and release planning.
- Participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs
- Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits
- Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems
- Refer clients to other social services
- Advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions
- Provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
- Implement and organize the delivery of specific services within the community
- Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social services or health care professionals
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions
- Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
- Co-ordinate the volunteer activities of human service agencies, health care facilities and arts and sports organizations
- Maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research.
Return to top
Skills
Community and social service workers should have the following skills and abilities:
- a genuine concern for the well-being of people of different backgrounds or circumstances,
- sensitivity for people who are vulnerable to exploitation or mistreatment,
- tolerance for differences in race, gender, sexuality, mental or physical ability, religion, culture and age,
- the ability to work in a team environment with children, families and other professionals,
- excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills,
- good decision-making and problem-solving skills,
- have emotional stability,
- be able to cope with stress,
- have initiative and enthusiasm to set up and maintain projects,
- have good organizing skills, planning and administrative skills,
- have a wide range of interests or skills such as health, sports, arts, technology, film-making,
- possess the creative ability to develop new programs or ways of doing things.
Return to top
Employment Requirements
- In Manitoba, completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, counseling or other social science or health related discipline is usually required.
- Previous work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may replace formal education requirements.
Return to top
Terms & Conditions
Community and social service workers usually work indoors. Working hours may include evenings and weekends depending upon the employing agency and the nature of the work. Travel within the community served is common.
Employers may request Criminal Records checks or Child Abuse Registry checks prior to employment. Driver's Licences and first aid certificates may also be required. Most community and social welfare workers work full-time (74%). Self-employment in this occupation is rare (2%).
Return to top
Earnings
$25,200 per annum - starting
$35,600 per annum - average
$54,500 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
Return to top
Education / Training
The University of Manitoba offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of Social Work [4 years: University 1 plus 3 years Social Work].
- Inner City Social Work (ICSWP) ACCESS Program (located at the Winnipeg Education Centre), Bachelor of Social Work for students facing social, financial, academic barriers to educational opportunities.
- A number of Aboriginal Focus Programs are offered through the University of Manitoba, Continuing Education Division
- The Northern Bachelor of Social Work Program, offered through the University of Manitoba, is a four-year Bachelor of Social Work program in Thompson.
- Distance Delivery Bachelor of Social Work program, offered to students living outside of Winnipeg
- Aboriginal Counselling Skills Certificate through Extended Education
- Applied Counselling Certificate program through Extended Education
- Pre-Master of Social Work program, prepares for entry in to the Masters program for students who do not have a Bachelor of Social Work.
- Master of Social Work M.S.W.
The University of Winnipeg offers the following program:
- Pre-professional program in Social Work
Brandon University offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of First Nations and Aboriginal Counselling degree (B.F.N.A.C.)
- Pre-professional program in Social Work
Canadian Mennonite University offers the following programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a concentration in Counselling Studies or Social Services
- Pre-professional program in Social Work
University College of the North offers the following program:
- Applied Counselling Skills paraprofessional program
Assiniboine Community College offers the following programs:
- Aboriginal Community Development, Social Stream Certificate (2 years)
- Applied Counselling Skills Certificate through Continuing Education
- Community Support Provider Certificate (4 months) also available by Distance Education
Red River College offers the following programs:
- Applied Counselling Certificate (6 months) also available by distance education
- Family Support Worker, available part-time by distance education
- Child and Youth Care Diploma (2 years)
Yellowquill College offers the following program:
- First Nation Community Management Diploma with specializations in Social Development, Community Health, or Community Wellness.
High School:
- Some high schools offer programs in Family and Community Education.
Return to top
Career Paths
Experience working with people, including as a volunteer, is a definite asset when seeking employment in this field.
Experienced workers may advance to supervisory positions.
With additional education, training and experience, community and social service workers may progress to professional social services positions, such as social workers, as well as positions as family, marriage and other related counsellors, or probation and parole officers and related occupations.
Return to top
Outlook
Employment prospects for community and social service workers are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2009 is estimated at 5,030.
Employment for community and social service workers is influenced by government support for the public and non profit agencies that provide social services. The trend towards community integration of special needs individuals may increase demand. Increases in health and social services spending during the forecast period may create new jobs, especially for those who work with children, aboriginal peoples, the disabled, and individuals suffering from addictions. There is an increasing recognition of the affects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the additional supports required by individuals with this range of disabilities.
This is an occupational area that attracts young people at the beginning of their careers, and turnover in some settings is quite high.
Jobs in this occupational group are fairly evenly distributed throughout the Province. Across industries, the greatest concentration of community and social service workers is in Health Care and Social Assistance (76%), followed by Public Administration (12%) and Other Services (except Public Administration) (7%).
Return to top
Employment by Age Group
Return to top
Employment by Industry
Return to top
Employment by Region
Return to top
Employment by Gender
Return to top
Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
Return to top
Employment by Visible Minority
Return to top
Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Other Related Information...
Return to top
