Social Service Community Worker

CampusStart DateTuition/Fees
MiramichiSeptember 2022 (Blended Delivery) Domestic | International
MonctonSeptember 2022 (Blended Delivery) Domestic | International
Fredericton September 2022 (Blended Delivery) Domestic | International
Saint JohnSeptember 2022 (Blended Delivery) Domestic | International
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Program Overview

How we care for our most vulnerable community members is an important sign of how well we’re doing as a society. Social Service Community Workers are advocates who support the wellbeing of individuals and families facing challenging life events, including poverty, domestic violence, social, emotional, behavioral or mental trauma. They are strength-based problem solvers and relationship builders who understand the growing challenges facing communities. Every day, they help clients access the resources and develop the skills to gain more independence and control over their lives. Social Service Community Work is a foundation helping profession working within community-based health centers, from residential environments and shelters to family support and outreach programs.
 
Our Social Service Community Worker program prepares you to create positive change in people’s lives. You’ll learn about human development and relations, family dynamics and support, interpersonal communications, counselling, program planning, social policy and legislation, and advocacy. Students also participate in experiential and applied learning opportunities in the community. You’ll learn a lot about yourself too. If you’re patient, mature, and have a big heart for strengthening people and communities, enrol today and pursue a rewarding career that lifts people up.

Duration

The requirements for this diploma program may be achieved within two years of full-time study.

Admission Requirements

    Profile A

  • High School Diploma or Adult High School Diploma or GED Diploma of High School Equivalency or Essential Skills Achievement Pathway: Post-Secondary Entry High School Diploma

    NB Francophone High School Math Equivalencies
    International Student Admission Equivalencies

    Career Possibilities

    There are many ways to make a difference, and the outlook for new jobs over the next few years is strong. Social Service Community Worker graduates may find employment as community or family support workers, outreach workers, behavioural interventionists, residential care workers, intake workers, or case managers.
     
    Graduates work in diverse settings, including community and refugee centres, emergency shelters, youth employment agencies, hostels, social development agencies, and agencies within the justice system. Many community service workers choose to further their education with additional degrees or specialized training in specific areas. Often, graduates who start their careers working in the field will move into more senior roles developing and managing social programs and leading teams of social workers.

    Find career possibilities related to this program in Career Coach.

    Specific Considerations

    Host agencies require students to provide a current criminal record check and vulnerable sector check from a recognized police service in order to be considered for tours/or field trips and applied workplace experiences. Individuals who have been convicted criminally and not pardoned will likely be prohibited from proceeding to a work placement. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that he or she is eligible to participate.

    Mature applicants with related experience or training who do not meet the academic admission requirements may be considered for acceptance following additional assessment conducted at the college. Please contact us for further direction.

    Prior to the beginning of the applied workplace experience, host facilities may require the completion of an Immunization and Medical Form (pdf). It is the student's responsibility to ensure that he or she has met these requirements.

    Technology Requirements
    NBCC is a connected learning environment. All programs require a minimum specification, including access to the internet and a laptop. Your computer should meet your program technology requirements to ensure the software required for your program operates effectively. Free wifi is provided on all campuses.

    Program Courses

    Courses are subject to change.

    This course is designed to examine effective document use in the social services field, aligned with social service agency guidelines.  Scenario-based incidents will be used to create and develop professional communication practices. Community service model documents and exercises will give the opportunity to practice and perfect their writing skills. This course will prepare students to have polished written communication skills as they will write various documents for permanent and legal records.

    This course is designed to help students strengthen their fundamental skills in writing clear, effective sentences and paragraphs, and enable them to create organized, unified and coherent documents. The writing process is introduced. Students will recognize the importance of writing for the intended purpose and audience.

    This course is designed to introduce group interpersonal skills required in professional practice. Foundational skills will be developed in leadership styles, communication, group roles, group cohesion, relationship building, and trust. Learning will be achieved through lectures, and experiential groups, role plays, and group facilitation.

    This course is designed to provide advanced interviewing and counselling theoretical concepts. Emphasis will be placed on helping clients identify and capitalize on their strengths and assets. Learning will be achieved using lectures, experiential exercises, and role-plays.

    This course is designed to introduce theoretical concepts and practical skills necessary to assist in defining concerns and identifying desired outcomes for individuals across the life span. Emphasis will be placed on promoting a wide range of skills for interviewing. Learning will be achieved through lectures, experiential exercises and role plays. 
     

    This course is designed to provide an overview of relevant historical and theoretical influences in the development of social and human service practice and methods. Emphasis will be placed on identifying the purpose, values, skills and ethics associated with the profession. Learning will be achieved through lectures, guest speakers, and experiential exercises.

    This course is designed to undertake an in-depth field experience, performing front-line work in a social services agency under direct supervision. Emphasis will be placed on integrating skills and learning acquired from academic courses with practical experiences in the field of choice. Outcomes will be achieved through work integrated learning and bi-weekly seminars.  

    This course is designed to explore the topics, issues and information related to self-care practices.  Emphasis will be placed upon examining the dimensions of wellness and how these dimensions impact the lives of the frontline worker.  Learning will be achieved through lecture, and activity-based assignments.
     

    This course is designed to focus on current social issues and trends that inform social service community work. As a result of sector-specific skill development needs, topics will be selected to build on existing knowledge and enhance practical understanding of contemporary topics. Learning will be achieved through lectures, guest speakers, group work and presentations.

     

    This course provides an introduction to the meaning of community service.  Students learn how community service can enhance a student’s educational experience, personal growth, employability, and civic responsibility. Students participate in one day of volunteering to enhance their understanding of civic responsibility and to help the New Brunswick Community College realize its vision of transforming lives and communities.

    This course is designed to study human development across the life span. Emphasis will be placed on identifying growth patterns as a frame of reference for differentiating typical and atypical development. Learning will be achieved through lectures, presentations, and projects.

    This course is designed to provide information on mental health and wellness.  Emphasis will be placed on abnormal psychology including terminology, diagnostic features, assessment, and treatment of the major psychological disorders. Learning will be achieved through lectures. 

    This course is designed to develop practical strategies to help clients in the behaviour change process.  Emphasis will be placed on the application of behaviour modification to increase quality of life. Learning will be achieved through lecture, applied exercises and case studies.

    Students are introduced to the major concepts and theoretical perspectives of the field of psychology. They explore such topics as history, research methods, sensation, perception, consciousness, memory, and intelligence using critical thinking and skeptical inquiry.

    A safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of the employer and the employee. This course introduces students to the importance of working safely and addresses how employers and employees can control the hazards and risks associated with the workplace. Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders including WorkSafeNB, the employer and the employee in ensuring workplaces are safe.

    This course is designed to discuss the major concepts and theoretical perspectives of sociology, leading to the ability to define and analyze various social issues and their causes. In addition, it will develop skills and knowledge in the area of cultural and personal diversity along with the knowledge, attitudes and basic skills necessary to develop and deliver effective supports to diverse populations.

    This course is designed to explore the dynamics of family relationships. Emphasis will be placed on family development and ecological perspectives that enhance the understanding of diverse family experiences and strategies for intervention. Learning will be achieved through lectures, and experiential individual and group exercises.
     

    NOC Codes

    0423 - Managers in social, community and correctional services
    4212 - Social and community service workers

    Articulation Agreements

    Institution: University of New Brunswick Saint John - Faculty of Business
    Articulation Period:
    Information: Bachelor of Applied Management Degree
    NBCC graduates of any 2 year diploma program with a GPA of 70% or greater receive 2 years full credit toward this degree and will be eligible to enter year 3 of the 4 year Bachelor of Applied Management (BAM) program.


     

    Institution: Griffith University
    Articulation Period:
    Information: Griffith University agrees to facilitate the block transfer of students from NBCC with appropriate pre-requisite qualifications and grades into the related Griffith Degree.
    Institution: Cape Breton University
    Articulation Period:
    Information: Bachelor of Arts Community Studies Degree (BACS).
    NBCC graduates with a minimum grade of 65% can receive up to a maximum of 45 credit hours of transfer towards the 90 credits required for CBU's 3 year BACS degree and a maximum of 51 credit hours of transfer towards the 120 credits required for CBU's 4 year BACS degree.
    Institution: Dalhousie University
    Articulation Period:
    Information: Bachelor of Technology (Small Business Management)
    Students who have completed a non-business two-year technical/technology diploma program from NBCC and having a minimum cumulative average of 70% may apply for admission to the first year of the two year post-diploma Bachelor of Technology (Small Business Management) program at Dalhousie's Faculty of Agriculture (the "BTECH Program").
     

    Disclaimer: This web copy provides guidance to prospective students, applicants, current students, faculty and staff. Although advice is readily available on request, the responsibility for program selection ultimately rests with the student. Programs, admission requirements and other related information is subject to change.

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