Social Service Worker

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Courses - January 2026

Level 1

Course details

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.

Hours: 1
Credits: 0
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Group Process And Dynamics
SOCS1060

Description: This course introduces concepts involved in group process, group dynamics and the stages of group development exploring group work with children, youth, adults and older adults. Leadership skills and characteristics, as well as ethical standards in group work are examined. Students learn through active participation in an experiential group setting with the opportunity to focus on skills development through role plays and simulation.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Introduction to Professional Practice
SOCS1390

Description: This course will introduce students to the professional practice of social service work. Through an examination of values and personal styles, students will develop an awareness of self as an essential component of the helping relationship. With a view to population focused practice, students will review theories of helping and principles fundamental to establishing a professional relationship and apply skills for beginning the helping process, through an examination of personal and professional values and ethics. 

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Decolonizing Social Service Work
SOCS1400

Description: This course will provide students with an overview of the truth about destructive impacts of colonization and white supremacy on Indigenous peoples, including physical and cultural genocides conducted by settlers through residential schools, child welfare ‘scoops’ from the 1960s to today, mass incarceration, land theft, resource extraction, and broken treaties. Students will explore the reconciliatory and reparative possibilities of decolonizing principles, policies, and practices of social service work.  

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Social Service Systems
SOCS1500

Description:

This course provides students with an historical and theoretical basis upon which to study the existing community social service systems in terms of levels of government engagement, and agency roles, functions, structures, administration and funding. Students will explore the impact of traditional and evolving delivery approaches and current social issues on service user groups as well as develop awareness of the impact that legislation has on social development and the social work profession. Students will examine several topics, charters and codes and examine their own values in relation to social work and the law.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 2

Course details

Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320

Description: This course focuses on developing awareness and skills for the student to safely manage and conduct him or herself within a variety of employment settings. Through the units of the course, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of general Health and Safety guidelines, including WHMIS, Fire Safety and Workplace Violence. The unit on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will instruct the student on the requirements for Accessible Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations. General information on Safe Driving, Privacy of Information and Hand Washing will be addressed as well. The course also provides participants with critical information regarding their insurance coverage (WSIB or other) while employed. As well as guidelines to follow in the event of an injury. Participants will receive a printable Record of Completion upon successful conclusion of this course, in order to demonstrate awareness of safe working practices to their employers.

Hours: 14
Credits: 1
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Techniques Of Interviewing & Assessment
SOCS1035

Description: This course will provide students with beginning interviewing and assessment skills. The primary focus will be on developing rapport and a professional relationship with a client and adapting these skills to various practice settings. Role plays, and simulations will provide an opportunity for students to begin practicing and evaluating their skills.

Hours: 36
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: SOCS1060
CoRequisites:

Field Seminar: Preparing for Professional Practice
SOCS1375

Description:

This course will provide students with the opportunity to integrate theory and practice in preparation for practice as emerging social service workers. Through intentional experiences that combine seminars, independent reflection, small and large groups, simulation and professional networking experiences, students will integrate course material, assess their own learning and career goals, and examine strategies to develop a plan for future community-based placements.

Hours: 140
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites: SOCS1390
CoRequisites: OHS1320

Transformative Practices: Theory to Action
SOCS1410

Description: Building on knowledge from Social Service Worker Systems and Decolonizing Social Service Work, students will analyze the principles and frameworks of transformative practices, including anti-oppressive practices (AOP), for application to doing social service work with marginalized populations. The course will emphasize practical ways to make AOP a foundational framework in programs and policies.  

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Community Interventions
SOCS1420

Description:

This course focuses on theories of community structure and well-being and the range of community interventions vital to social work practice. Students will acquire knowledge related to the effective functioning of communities, the inter-relationships of people who live there, and the agencies and institutions that serve and support them. Students learn through the examination of major approaches and models of intervention, as well as active participation in skill development exercises.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 3

Course details

Professional Communication
COMM1360

Description:

In this course, students will enhance their verbal and non-verbal professional communication skills needed in the field as a Social Service Worker. They will acquire the skills necessary to write memos, letters, email, case notes, meeting minutes, informal reports and proposals and presentations that meet the professional standards in the social work field.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Field Placement I (Social Service Worker)
FPLT2460

Description: Situated in community social service agencies, students will strengthen the integration of theory and practice as emerging Social Service Workers. Through reflective seminars and practical field work experience, students will develop strategies and plans that lead to the promotion of self-care, improved job performance, and enhanced professional relationships. Emphasis will be placed on practical understandings of the expectations of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice expected of professionals bound by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Hours: 252
Credits: 9
Pre-Requisites: SOCS1375
CoRequisites:

Group Work: Assessment, Intervention And Evaluation
SOCS2060

Description:

This course examines the processes and principles of developing strategies for creating groups for the purpose of change in the social service work profession. Starting from needs assessment through to implementation, students will become familiar with a set of therapeutic interventions designed to be applied within a wide variety of small group settings. Students will demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of empirical methods of evaluation in group work practice.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites: SOCS1370 OR SOCS1375
CoRequisites:

Supportive Counselling with Families
SOCS2070

Description: This course is designed to expand students’ understandings and skills developed in SOCS1035 Techniques of Interviewing and Assessment. Students will examine different theories and frameworks for supporting families. Students will develop an understanding of the impact of ‘Family of Origin’ on development and identity by constructing a family genogram and expanding awareness of use of self in professional contexts. Students will analyze contemporary needs of families, while practicing conflict resolution and anti-oppressive skills.  

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Community Interventions: Theory to Action
SOCS2210

Description: This course examines the complexities of supporting people and communities in a sustainable not-for-profit sector, through an examination of social, legal, economic and values-based approaches and tools.  Students will research, analyze and produce professional documents that facilitate sustainability, innovation and change in the service sector. In addition, they will demonstrate professional communication skills for advocating for community needs within the not-for-profit service sector. 

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites: SOCS1420
CoRequisites:

Level 4

Course details

Field Placement II (Social Service Worker)
FPLT2470

Description: Building on experiences throughout program, this course will support students to consolidate the integration of theory and practice as emerging social service worker professionals. Paired with partnering community-based agencies, students will demonstrate initiative, build on their skills, and accept higher levels of responsibility as they make meaningful contributions that reflect the core competences of social service worker professionals. Through seminars, reflective group discussions, and practical work experiences, students will continue to develop strategies and plans that lead to the promotion of self-development, improved professional performance and enhanced professional relationships.

Hours: 252
Credits: 9
Pre-Requisites: FPLT2460
CoRequisites:

Violence, Trauma, and Abuse
SOCS2015

Description: This course provides a comprehensive examination of the presence and effects of violence in our society by introducing the student to the scope and complexity of trauma and abuse in the context of work with a variety of populations and children, intimate partner violence and elder abuse.  Through a process of exploring the role of the legal system, issues of reporting and theoretical perspectives students will develop an understanding of defining, assessing and supporting individuals, families, groups and communities with issues of violence, trauma and abuse. 

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Group Work: Community Applications
SOCS2045

Description: This course will provide students with the opportunity to examine group work applications in a variety of settings in the social services field.  Students will develop leadership skills through planning, member assessment, facilitating and evaluating the running of a group in the community.  Emphasis will be placed on an analysis of the student’s ability to understand and use evidence informed practices to determine goals, develop and implement a program structure, use relevant and appropriate interventions and formally evaluate the outcomes in the group. 

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Simulation: Trauma, Mental Health, and Addictions
SOCS2220

Description: This course will provide students an opportunity to integrate and apply equity-informed, trauma-competent knowledge and supportive counselling skills with people impacted by trauma and mental health challenges. Students will design an interview plan and implement it in a progressive simulated experience. 

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Program outcomes

Develop respectful and collaborative professional and interpersonal relationships that adhere to professional, legal, and ethical standards aligned to social service work.
Record information accurately and communicate effectively in written, digital, verbal and non-verbal ways, in adherence to privacy and freedom of information legislation, in accordance with professional and workplace standards.
Integrate a practice framework within a service delivery continuum, addressing the needs of individuals, families and communities at micro, mezzo, macro and global levels, and work with them in achieving their goals.
Plan and implement accessible and responsive programs and services, recognizing the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities, and meeting these needs.
Examine current social policy, relevant legislation, and political, social, historical, and/or economic systems and their impacts for individuals and communities when delivering services to the user/client.
Develop strategies and approaches that support individual clients, groups, families and communities in building the capacity for self-advocacy, while affirming their dignity and self-worth.
Work from an anti-oppressive, strengths-based practice, recognizing the capacity for resilience and growth of individuals and communities when responding to the diverse needs of marginalized or vulnerable populations to act as allies and advocates.
Develop strategies and approaches to implement and maintain holistic self-care as a member of a human service profession.
Work with individuals, groups, families and their communities to ensure that service provider strategies promote social and economic justice, and challenge patterns of oppression, discrimination and harassment, and sexual violence with clients, coworkers and communities.
Develop the capacity to work with the indigenous individual, families, groups and communities while respecting their inherent rights to self-determine, and to identify and address systemic barriers that produce ill-effects, developing appropriate responses using approaches such as trauma informed care practice.