Hopkins, Alexandra - Social Service Worker

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[edit] Job Title (Alexandra Hopkins)

Social service worker

[edit] General Overview

Social service workers can work in a variety of fields such as mental health, community outreach or child services, with several consistencies in job description. They are responsible for assessing and connecting individuals to community resources[1]. They work with individuals, groups, families, and organizations to achieve optimal and desired social functioning through assessment, evaluation, and treatment[2]. In accordance with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, one must have a diploma in social service work and be a member of the College to hold the title of Social Service Worker in Ontario [3]. Social service workers are not a regulated body in other provinces, thus registration with a College is not available.

[edit] Job duties and responsibilities

The role of a social service worker is to obtain a case history and prepare options for assistance and support, including community resources which may be beneficial. They assess need, eligibility, and provide referrals to community resources, including housing, financial assistance, and employment. Further, they are able to implement treatment programs including substance abuse and behavioural treatment[1]. They may be responsible for providing treatment in the form of individual, group, or familial therapy. They assist clients in connecting with social service programs and community programs. Social service workers are often responsible for collecting case histories, identify client’s deficits, and assessing the effectiveness of treatments interventions[4]. Further, social service workers may conduct custody assessments, working with children and their parents to determine parental access [2].

[edit] Typical workday

Social service workers may be employed in a variety of settings and work varying hours (e.g., shift, weekends, nights). They may be employed by government agencies, child protection services, mental health facilities, shelters, or substance abuse centres[1][4]. They may work with target, vulnerable populations such as physically disabled individuals, youth, homeless, or intellectually disabled persons [4]. Work hours can vary in accordance with the services offered at that particular organization. For example, shelters, hospitals, and child protection services may require shift work, weekends or nights while government facilities may hold business hours [4]. As the availability of these resources may vary by region (e.g., rural versus urban), variability of hours in a particular region may be in accordance with services offered to the public. The workday of a social service worker is dependent upon the type of community resource. It may involve meeting with clients (e.g., mentally ill, developmentally delayed, homeless, etc.), obtaining case history and providing assessments for therapeutic intervention or social service resources. They may provide crisis intervention in a clinical setting, supervise group activities (e.g., if working in a group home setting) and liaise with other social and community resources [4]. The workday of a social service worker may involve appointments with clients with set time limits. Alternatively, some facilities offer walk-in support (e.g., crisis counseling services) or as-needed (e.g., shelters, group homes, and other emergent support services)[4].

[edit] Educational requirements and other qualifications

To obtain a career as a social service worker, one must complete a diploma from an accredited college in Canada or the United States [2] and it may be completed in combination with a diploma in child and youth care or community support work[4][1]. All social service workers in Ontario are legally obligated to be registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, which must be renewed annually. The cost for new graduates is $275 (includes application cost of $100), and $175 for the next two years. Thereafter, the cost is $275[2]. Other provinces do not have regulatory bodies for social service workers. Often, certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, non-violent crisis intervention, and/or applied suicide intervention skills training are required by employers[4]. Training in these certifications may be obtained through human services resources, such as Distress Centre of Niagara or through volunteering with organizations such as Pathstone. Many schools in Canada offer diplomas in the social service field, some are listed below:

[edit] Related skills, interests, and abilities

One of the most fundamental skills required for a social service worker is communication, including verbal, written, and behavioural[4]. When assisting clients, it is important to conduct oneself in a professional manner in how they speak to others, and listen to client concerns in an empathetic and supportive way. It is also important to be aware of non-verbal communication to ensure the client feels supported and their concerns heard. Non-verbal communication can be especially important when working with special populations such as the mentally ill or children. Written communication is especially important when completing intake reports and in assessments where another social service worker, the police, or mental health workers may conduct follow-up assessments. A social service worker is often responsible for conducting crisis and/or suicide intervention as well as conflict resolution[4], thus, it is essential to have skills in these areas. One must practice patience and understanding while keeping an open mind. For example, if working in a homeless shelter, conflicts between residents may occur and it may be within the social service worker’s responsibilities to resolve the problem. To do so, the worker must openly hear both parties and help them find a compromise to the conflict. If working in mental health, it may often be within the social service worker’s responsibility to provide crisis support or suicide intervention. These skills may be developed through certification training programs (see above). Finally, the ability to supervise is often a desirable skill for a social service worker to hold[4]. This is especially important if working with volunteers (e.g., in a non-profit organization) to ensure they are able to meet the expectations of the job. This skill also involves communication abilities including being able to offer constructive criticism and act in an assertive and professional manner.

[edit] Relevance of Psychology undergraduate degree

Social service work is a competitive career; many job postings highlight that a diploma in social service work is only one of the suggested diplomas/degrees to have. For example, some jobs recommend other diplomas such as child and youth worker and/or human services worker. Others suggest some university, or require a degree in psychology or a related discipline[4]. Holding an undergraduate degree in psychology can improve one’s resume, or allow a candidate to ask for a higher hiring salary (e.g., if employer offers a range of hiring salary). The education that one obtains while completing their psychology degree is highly relevant to social service work. It allows for a more thorough understanding of issues related to mental health, child development, and understanding current research in the field. Firstly, courses teaching abnormal psychology and mental illnesses provide essential knowledge for social service workers working with the mentally ill. These clients may require community resources, and having an understanding of their mental illness, may aid in one’s ability to assist them. While a social service worker is not responsible for diagnosing[5], it is vital they have an understanding of symptoms and possible medications to best protect themselves as well as provide the best care possible to the client. Secondly, having an education in child development is essential when working with youth, especially vulnerable youth (i.e., those in foster care, involved in criminal activity etc.). Understanding how a child ought to develop cognitively, psychologically, and socially can help a social service worker know when one is not developing properly. This can allow them to address the issue and provide intervention early. For example, a social service worker employed in a shelter[4] may find it beneficial to recognize when a child living there with a parent is being negatively affected and intervene early. Finally, as research in the field of social service work is constantly evolving and adapting[2], it is important one has the knowledge to read and critically analyze publications. As a requirement of an undergraduate degree in psychology is to partake in courses involving statistics and research methodology, this education provides excellent experience for a social service worker. This allows a social service worker to execute best practice methods as they emerge. A degree in psychology prior to completion of a social service worker diploma can improve one’s general knowledge of human behaviour and understanding of research methods, increasing their potential to advance in their class.

[edit] Salary Potential

Social service workers earn, on average, $17 an hour, or $33, 000 annually[6]. According to the Canadian Job Bank website[4], the highest median wages are earned in Nunavut ($28), Yukon ($28), and Northwest Territories ($24), followed by Ontario ($22), and Quebec ($22)[7]. This wage can vary slightly in rural versus urban areas. Specifically, Canadian Job Bank identifies jobs in urban areas (e.g., Toronto and Ottawa) as offering the highest median wages in Ontario. The lowest median wages are offered in rural areas (e.g., Stratford, Bruce Peninsula) in Ontario. There is a range of wages that can differ in accordance with experience. For example, in the Toronto and Ottawa area, wages can vary from $14 to $34 an hour[7].

[edit] Job outlook

Jobs in this field are very much dependent on government funding. Job prospects in this field have grown at an average rate, with workers retiring at rate consistent with other related fields[8]. Areas of social services in mental health, early childhood services, work with the elderly and community outreach are expected to show the greatest growth in Ontario[7]. According to the Canadian job bank, Quebec shows the greatest job growth in social services. Demand is highest in more urban areas (i.e., those with higher populations), for example, provinces such as New Brunswick and Newfoundland employ less than 2,500 workers in this field, while Ontario has more than 52,000 in the social service worker field[7].

[edit] To know more

  • The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers website provides thorough information regarding regulating this profession as well as ethical information regarding best practice
  • Workers United Canada is a Canadian and American union service which has over 20,000 members. They represent several industries including social services. Their website provides excellent information regarding some potential challenges to the field and those working in it
  • The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers website also includes a section for students. It presents testimonies from social workers and social service workers who provide insight into what one might except in this field, in terms of professionalism and why registration to the College is helpful to its members and their clients
  • The Ontario Social Service Workers Association is a voluntary membership association, devoted to supporting these workers and students in this field. Membership allows for access to employment opportunities, current research, workshops and entrance into their annual conference


[edit] Notes and References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. (2011). National occupational classification 2011. Retrieved from National Occupational Classification website: http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/pdf/PrintableVersionNOC2011.pdf
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. (2010). Retrieved from: http://www.ocswssw.org/en/default.htm
  3. ↑ Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. (2008). Code of ethics and standards of practice handbook. Retrieved from: http://www.ocswssw.org/docs/codeofethicsstandardsofpractice.pdf
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 Government of Canada (n.d.). Canadian Job bank. Retrieved from: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home-eng.do
  5. ↑ Centre for Addictions and Mental Health. (2012). Getting an assessment. Retrieved from: http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/Pages/home.aspx.
  6. ↑ PayScale Inc. (2015). Salary data & career research centre (Canada). Retrieved from: http://www.payscale.com/?version=header&utm_expid=1482968-11.8K-SZJgeTS- L8iShJ4AraA.1
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Government of Canada (2014). Explore careers by outlooks. Retrieved from: http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/wage-outlook_search- eng.do;jsessionid=26FA68227DC3D845F83EA220F949C216.imnav2?reportOption=outl ook-
  8. ↑ StudentScholarships.org. (2015). Career and salary information. Retrieved from: http://www.studentscholarships.org/


--Ah07qi 13:12, 18 March 2015 (EDT)

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