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Community and Social Service Workers

At WorkEducation, Training, and ExperienceWork ProspectsImportant Facts
What They Do | Where They Find Work | Related Occupation(s) | Something to Think About
 

What They Do

Community and social service workers perform some or all of the following duties:


Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems

Refer clients to other social services

Advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions

Provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services

Implement and organize the delivery of specific services within the community

Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social services or health care professionals

Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions

Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress

Co-ordinate the volunteer activities of human service agencies, health care facilities and arts and sports organizations

Maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research.

Interview clients to obtain case history and background information

May supervise social service support workers and volunteers.

Assess clients' relevant skill strengths and deficits

Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance

Assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, assistance with moves, day care and other referral services

Prepare intake reports

Counsel clients living in group homes and half-way houses, supervise their activities and assist in pre-release and release planning

Participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs

Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits

Where They Find Work — Top Occupational Areas

Health care and social assistance 68.0%
Public administration 14.0%
Other services (except public administration) 11.0%
Educational services 4.0%

Tip


People in this group work in social service/government agencies, group homes, school boards, mental health agencies, and correctional facilities.


The unionization rate (45%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations.


The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Community and Social Service Workers are found in British Columbia and Manitoba while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick, Quebec and Newfoundland.


Some Related Occupation(s)


Social Workers

Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors

More related Job Titles in these occupations


Something to Think About

To enhance your professional knowledge and broaden your opportunities, consider:

Continually updating your knowledge

Improving interpersonal skills

Setting guidelines for operations