Social Service Worker

www.lambtoncollege.ca/SSWK
Program Code: SSWK (Full-Time) Length of Program: Two-Year Awarded Upon Completion: Ontario College Diploma
Term 1 COM-1013 Critical Thinking and Writing ITS-1003 Information Technology Skills SSW-1003 Helping Skills SSW-1023 Social Service Systems I SSW-1034 Field Work Preparation HGD-1053 Introduction to Community Mental Health Term 2 COM-2053 Communications for Community Services SSW-2003 Interview/Assessment Skills SSW-2013 Social Service Systems II SSW-2083 Ethics and Report Writing SSWF-2086 Field Work I SSW-1013 Social Group Work GED-XXX3 General Education Elective Academic Break Academic Break Term 3 PSY-2003 Psychology II SSW-3003 Case Work Relationships SSW-3083 Professional Integrity SSWF-3084 Field Work II SSW-4053 Family Process GED-XXX3 General Education Elective Term 4 SSW-3073 Community Organization SSW-1043 Community Participation SSW-4003 Case Management SSW-4063 Overview of Addictions SSW-4083 Social Issues and Problems SSWF-4085 Field Work III

Students in Lambton College's Social Service Worker program will develop the skills, knowledge, and values required to support diverse individuals, families, groups and communities. With practical experience both in and out of the classroom, as well as through ongoing reflective practice, students will develop the skills to assist in empowering clients to learn to help themselves and to face the challenging work of being a Social Service Worker.

Small class sizes, technology in the classroom, role play and simulation exercises as well as a variety of personal, hands-on experiences, will result in a deeper understanding of self, which will ultimately benefit clients. 

Individuals considering the Social Service Worker program are asked to carefully evaluate their reasons for entering this field. The work calls for people who are mature enough to examine their own values, beliefs and life experiences while focusing upon the needs of vulnerable populations.

Students will complete approximately 650 hours of supervised experiential field placement while in the program. An additional 60+ hours of volunteer work in the community is required over the course of the program. Students' theoretical and practical experience will be enhanced by group work, leadership and participation in a capstone community project that is determined by a real social issue that benefits a non-profit community organization in the Sarnia-Lambton area.

Any applicant entering this program must meet employment entrance criteria set by individual employers and provide a vulnerable sector criminal reference check, in order to apply for placement opportunities. A criminal record could limit a student's ability to successfully secure placement opportunities which are a requirement of graduation.

Admission Requirements

O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Social Service Worker program are successful in finding employment working with a variety of populations and in a number of different social service and government organizations. These opportunities include employment at Lambton County Social Services (Ontario Works), associations for the developmentally disabled, homeless shelters, poverty reduction and food stability organizations, women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, long-term care homes and senior's facilities, job training/employment services and school boards.

Graduates of the Social Service Worker program will meet the educational requirements for registration as a Social Service Worker in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Tuition Fees

Please Note: These fees apply to the 2022-2023 academic year and are subject to change. Fees do not include books (unless specifically noted), supplies or living costs.

Health Services, Community Services & Creative Design
519-479-2427
Program Information
1-844-LAMBTON
info@lambtoncollege.ca