ObjectivesThis two year program is designed to prepare students for basic social work practice in social agencies and social welfare programs, both public and private, by providing them with a sound knowledge of human behaviour, of individual and social problems and of the necessary helping techniques and skills.
Practical experienceThere is a field practice component associated with this program.
Academic titleSocial Service Worker Ontario College Diploma
Course descriptionLevel 1 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Group 1
COMM-1028 Communication for Social SVC Workers 3.00
SOCW-1001 Group Dynamics for SSW 3.00
SOCW-1028 Community Resources 2.00
SOCW-1005 Family Dynamics in Social Work 2.00
SOCI-1006 Sociology for Social Service Workers 3.00
SOCW-1004 Psychology in Social Work 3.00
Group 2
TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE:
(MINIMUM GRADE C)
SOCW-1031 Basic Counselling Skills 3.00
Level 2 Credits
Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Group 1
SOCW-1006 Life Skills 3.00
SOCW-3017 Professional Practice 3.00
SOCW-1009 Social Work & the Law 2.00
SOCW-1011 Social Welfare Policy in Ontario 2.00
SOCW-3003 Community Mental Health Interventions 1 3.00
Group 2
TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE:
(MINIMUM GRADE C)
SOCW-1032 Counselling 3.00
Level 3 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Group 1
SOCW-3021 SSW Practice & Intervention 2.00
SOCW-3004 Social Work Field Practice 8.00
SOCW-1010 Social Service Work With Families 3.00
SOCW-3022 Contemporary Issues in Social Work 3.00
Group 2
TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE:
(MINIMUM GRADE C)
SOCW-3023 Individuals Counselling-Adv 3.00
Level 4 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
Group 1
SOCW-3019 Social Interventions 3.00
SOCW-3001 Community Organization & Development 3.00
SOCW-3007 Community Mental Health Interventions 2 3.00
SOCW-3008 Social Work Field Practice 8.00
SOCW-3020 Non-Violent CPI Refresher 1.00
Group 2
TAKE THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY COURSE:
(MINIMUM GRADE C)
SOCW-3024 Indiv., Grps & Families Counselling-Adv 3.00
Gen Ed - Electives
Take 3 General Education Credits -
Normally taken in Level 2
COMM-1028 - Communication for Social SVC Workers
Comm- 1028 is a writing course designed for Social Service Workers. The course emphasizes analytical skills and clear thinking and writing. Students will discuss and analyse short stories on topics related to the social work field and prepare a variety of essays and professional documents. Research methods, argumentation and documentation will be demonstrated.
SOCI-1006 - Sociology for Social Service Workers
This course introduces students to the basic sociological concepts and major perspectives as a means of understanding society and social issues. The course will acquaint students with the social processes of socialization, social interaction, collective behaviour, social and cultural change, social stratification, and deviance and social control. Finally, the course will lay a foundation for evaluating and conducting research on current social issues.
SOCW-1001 - Group Dynamics for SSW
Group Dynamics For Social Service Professionals is designed as a theme-oriented experiential learning opportunity aimed at a greater self-understanding and knowledge of human behaviors within groups prior to entering Field Experience. This course will enable the student to acquire group-coaching techniques used with clients in social agencies and social welfare programs.
SOCW-1004 - Psychology in Social Work
This course will introduce the student to theories of personality and their respective theorists. Students will be expected to become familiar with the tenets of each theory and their interrelationship.
SOCW-1005 - Family Dynamics in Social Work
This course is an introduction to family studies. It provides a firm theoretical base for understanding family dynamics. Topics such as family crisis, diversity and socialization will be examined.
SOCW-1006 - Life Skills
This course will enable the student to acquire group-coaching techniques used with clients in social agencies and social welfare programs.
SOCW-1009 - Social Work & the Law
This course introduces fundamental aspects of Canadian law that are essential to social work practice. These include constitutional law relating to as well as many of the Federal and Provincial statues and some case law specific to the practice of Social Work. Legislation to be analyzed will include: The Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Charter of Rights, the Child and Family Services Act, the Family Law Act, the Mental Health Act, the Wills Act, the Succession Law Reform Act, the Substitute Decisions Act, the Canadian Criminal Code, the Evidence Act, Divorce Act and other legislation.
SOCW-1010 - Social Service Work With Families
Students will learn how to use the Wraparound Process to assist families with complex needs. The course will focus on conducting a Strengths, Needs, Culture Discovery, and identifying natural (informal) and formal community resources. In addition, students will develop a further understanding of the normative and non normative challenges facing the family.
SOCW-1011 - Social Welfare Policy in Ontario
This course is designed as an introduction to present Social Service and Welfare Policy in
SOCW-1028 - Community Resources
This course will provide the student with an introduction to the field through faculty and guest lectures. Students will become familiar with the agencies delivering services to specific populations in London and Middlesex county.
SOCW-1031 - Basic Counselling Skills
This course will provide the student with thebasic tools and strategies used in Social ServiceWork practice. Students will be introduced toprofessional ethics and apply the CASW Code ofEthics within the context of contemporary issues.Emphasis will be placed on the importance ofself-care to prepare for the challenges of thiswork.
SOCW-1032 - Counselling
This course will provide the student with anopportunity to identify and apply interviewing andcounselling skills necessary for the developmentof effective relationships within the SocialService field. The student will work in smallgroups, role playing scenarios which willillustrate their learning of the skills. Thislearning is necessary for students to demonstrateas they prepare for field placement.
SOCW-3001 - Community Organization & Development
An introduction to the principles and methods of community organization/development as one of the helping processes and development of an understanding of how the process can be used.
SOCW-3003 - Community Mental Health Interventions 1
This course is designed to acquaint the students with community based approach to the study of human development/behavior. Problems and issues in defining and treating human behavior will be explored from a life span perspective. Major theories of development along with treatment interventions will be examined.
SOCW-3004 - Social Work Field Practice
The field practicum offers students the opportunity to implement and practice the skills and theory taught in the classroom. To enhance skills and to facilitate integration of theory and practice the student is monitored by an agency supervisor who works in consultation with a faculty advisor.
SOCW-3007 - Community Mental Health Interventions 2
This course follows SOCW-3003 (COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS I) and continues the study of the various types of abnormal behaviour. A variety of theoretical perspectives for defining andexplaining behaviour are explored. Treatment approaches developed fromthose perspectives are also examined. The impact and role of the communityin both the origins and treatments of abnormal behaviour are emphasized.
SOCW-3008 - Social Work Field Practice
Social Service Field Practice II offers students the opportunity to further implement and practice the skills and theory taught in the classroom and developed in the prerequisite course SOCW3004. To enhance skills and to facilitate integration of theory and practice, the student is monitored by an agency supervisor who works in consultation with a faculty advisor.
SOCW-3017 - Professional Practice
This course will prepare students with the knowledge and skills for professional practice. Students will learn non-violent crisis intervention strategies (CPI) that will ensure the care and safety of clients. The course will address the provincial standards of practice for the SSW and the elements of working with Boards, chairing meetings and working within committees in non-profit organizations. Leadership style and change theory will be an integral part of the course as well as preparing the student for their field practice.
SOCW-3019 - Social Interventions
In further acquainting students with a sociological perspective for understanding social issues (SOCI-1009), this course focuses on social interventions. Issues to be introduced for discussion include: types of intervention (past and present), obstacles to intervention, evaluating intervention and the future of social intervention. Problems associated with poverty and inequality, family, the workplace, mass media, crime and deviance, the law, health, and welfare, and globalization will frame issues in social intervention.
SOCW-3020 - Non-Violent CPI Refresher
Non-Violent Crisis Prevention and Intervention is a safe behaviour management system designed to help service providers provide the best possible care to individuals who may be assaultive, disruptive or out of control, even during the most violent moments. NVCPI skills are most useful in the immediate management of or de-escalation of acting-out behaviours, but do not replace the need for proactive behavioural support plans. This is a CPI Refresher course to renew your certification.
SOCW-3021 - SSW Practice & Intervention
This course is designed as a co-requisite to Social Service Work field Practice 1 (SOCW 3004). It will support and enhance the student's professional learning and growth in both the academic and placement settings. There will be an emphasis on ethical practice and professional standards. Within a team environment, students will have the opportunity to analyze and problem solve field work experiences.
SOCW-3022 - Contemporary Issues in Social Work
This course is designed to assist students to understand contemporary social work issuesincluding poverty, global inequality, racism, sexism, and changes in our major institutions.Special attention will be given to analyzing policies and programs designed to address theseissues. In addition, students will develop research skills which will help them to obtain andevaluate up to date information on these issues.
SOCW-3023 - Individuals Counselling-Adv
This course will familiarize the student with keyconcepts, techniques, goals, and the developmentof client/counsellor relationships. This coursebuilds on Basic Counselling and Counselling and isa co-requisite with SOCW-3004, Social Work FieldPractice.
SOCW-3024 - Indiv., Grps & Families Counselling-Adv
This builds on Basic Counselling, Counselling andAdvanced Individuals Counselling. It is aco-requisite with Field Practice SOCW-3008. Thiscourse is designed to integrate theoretical andpractical dimensions of counselling in the socialwork field. Students will perform counsellinginterventions while constructing their owneclectic approach to working with people.