Diploma in Social Services Worker Youth Specialist
The social services field is incredibly diverse and allows students to choose a specialty that best suits their career goals. Building on the Social Services Worker Foundations program, the Youth Specialist program introduces courses focusing on Canada’s social welfare systems, violence, gangs and addiction in youth. After two practicum placements in the community, graduates will be well-prepared to enter this emotionally gratifying career.
Graduates of the Social Services Worker Youth Specialist program are able to move on to jobs in a diverse range of settings such as child, youth, and family social service agencies, and programs concerned specifically with alcoholism, drug abuse, and family violence. Additional work environments may include group homes, correctional and community mental health centres, school programs, and Aboriginal agencies.
“My instructors helped me to complete this program in the way that they explained everything that needed to be done. They explained why we needed to learn it, and they encouraged us along the way. They explained how we could achieve our goals.” – Isabel R., Vancouver Career College Grad
This program is 44 weeks in length.
Job Opportunities
- Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facilities
- Family Social Service Agencies
- Group Homes
- Correctional Facilities
- Community Mental Health Centre
- School Programs
- Aboriginal Agencies
Program Courses
Student Success Strategies
Business Computer Applications
Introduction to Social Service Work
Professional Communications for Social Services
Diversity and Social Justice
Professional Ethics for Social Services
Psychology
Fundamentals of Poverty
Fundamentals of Addiction
Fundamentals of Mental Health
Working with Families
Case Management
Burnout and Self-Care for Professionals
Community Resources and Networking
Professional Development
Advocacy and Empowerment of Youth
Youth and the Social Welfare Systems in Canada
Interviewing Techniques: Youth
Youth Diversity: Culture and Subculture
Introduction to Youth Justice Issues: Violence, Gangs, Incarceration
Youth Issues in Addiction
Practicum I:
Practicum II:
Practicum:
Practicum I:
Practice with the social service core skills is gained during a four-week practicum (min. 25 hours per week, but typically full days are required by the practicum host).
Practicum II:
Practice with the social service core skills and the youth specialization is gained during a second 4-week practicum placement (min. 25 hours per week, but typically full days are required by the practicum host).
Youth Diversity: Culture and Subculture
This course is designed to give students an overview of the impact of culture and subculture on youth. The specifics issues and needs of immigrant and bi-cultural youth, girls and young women, Aboriginal youth and LBGTIQ and Two-spirited youth are explored. The impact of music, activity, and style subcultures on youth is also investigated.
