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Community and Social Service Workers  (NOC 4212)
Lower Mainland - Southwest Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

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.

Aboriginal outreach worker, addictions worker, behavioural aide, child and youth worker, community development worker, community service worker, crisis intervention worker, developmental service worker, drop-in centre worker, family service worker, financial assistance worker, group home worker, income maintenance officer – social services, life skills instructor, mental health worker, rehabilitation worker – social services, social services worker, veteran services officer, welfare and compensation officer, women's shelter supervisor, youth worker.

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Community and social service workers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Interview clients to obtain case history and background information
  • Assess clients' 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 and 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.
  • May supervise social service support workers and volunteers.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Abbotsford, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Langley, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, White Rock, Gibsons, Mission, Aldergrove, Brunswick Beach, Crescent, Crescent Beach, Cultus Lake, Elgin, Fort Langley, Grandview, Lions Bay, McMillan Island, Ocean Park, South Surrey, Sunnyside, Willoughby

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Education & Job Requirements for Community and Social Service Workers in Lower Mainland - Southwest Region

Education and job requirements can vary by region. Workers in regulated occupations require a licence to work legally. Workers in non-regulated occupations do not require a licence, but employers may have other certification requirements.

Local Employment Requirements

Workers in this occupational group generally require graduation from a program in an applicable subject area. Completion of a college or university program in social work, counselling, or other social science is usually required. Competition is increasing for these positions, however, and more and more organizations are requiring either a bachelor¿s degree in social work, child and youth care, or another related field. Previous work experience in a social science environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may substitute for formal education requirements for some of the occupations in this unit group.

[Report Publication Date: 2011-06-21 |  Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Local Skills Requirements

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Skills and knowledge areas relevant to organization
Awareness of the needs of mentally and physically disabled people in a social service settings
For more advanced positions, supervisory and management skills are needed

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Strong interest in helping others
Good communication skills
Strong teamwork and leadership skills

[Report Publication Date: 2011-06-21 |  Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Skills Requirements

There are often specific abilities, aptitudes and knowledge that are prerequisites to obtain employment in an occupation.

Most employers who advertise are looking for workers who have the following experience and skills:

Experience:
0-2 years

Specific Skills:
Provide personal services support to persons with special needs. Resolve conflict situations.

Additional Skills:
Housekeeping activities. Food preparation. Administrative and office activities.

Essential Skills:
Oral communication, working with others, problem solving, job task planning and organizing, writing, reading text, document use, critical thinking, decision making, continuous learning.

[Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

List of Associations

AssociationsLink opens in a new window are organizations that may provide news to its members about networking events, professional development and other common issues for people working in the same industry.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

CanLearn Searches

  • Programs

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  • CEGEPs, Colleges and Universities

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  • Scholarships

    Information on scholarships, bursaries, grants, and other forms of financial assistance.

[ Source: CanLearn - HRSDC ]
Information for Newcomers

Getting your language skills assessed

If you do not know what your English or French language level is, visit one of the Language Assessment Centres across Canada. They will assess your language level and direct you to the appropriate language training program.

[ Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada ]
Please consult the British Columbia and Canada tabs for more useful information related to education and job requirements.