Social Service Worker Indigenous Knowledge Diploma

This course focuses on writing and research skills required for successful completion of college-level studies. The course will promote development and improvement of research and writing skills that can be applied to students’ chosen programs of study.

Students are introduced to the scientific study of human development across the lifespan as it applies to the role of a social service worker. Students examine the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial variables that affect human development and behaviour. Students also explore the impact of genetics and environment on developmental outcomes from conception to death. Student identify and evaluate strategies to prevent and overcome challenges and barriers to healthy development.

This is a structured learning experience which is designed to facilitate the examination of intrapersonal and interpersonal self-awareness and the acquisition of knowledge and comprehension to help manage within an ever changing and diversified world.

This course is designed to help participants recognize diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities in the context of social policy, political, social and/or economic systems and their impacts on service delivery.

The ability to work effectively in a team-oriented social service environment is an essential aspect of human service work and a critical employability skill. This course introduces learners to the theory of group work using an experiential approach. The structured learning experiences will enable learners to develop their group skills and become proactive and productive members of a team.

Students will learn to broker and advocate for appropriate access to resources to assist individuals, families, groups and communities through the creation of professional networks, while identifying current social policy, relevant legislation and political, social and/or economic systems and acknowledging their impacts on service delivery.

• Students will be exposed to the knowledge, skills and values associated with practice in an agency setting. Students will also be assisted in the process of selecting a field practicum which responds to each individual’s interests and needs. Students will examine the role of a professional social service worker with the context of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Students will develop appropriate professional decision-making skills through the lens of the Professional Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Students will develop professional career readiness through job search plans, job interview skills and preparation of career search documentation.

This course is designed to help participants recognize the need to develop and maintain professional relationships, identify strengths, resources and challenges of individuals, families, groups and communities to assist them in achieving their goals.

Students examine the causes of abnormal behavior, psychological factors and physical illness as well as major psychological disorders. This course is not intended to help students solve behavioural or emotional problems requiring professional assessment and response.
Prerequisite: PSYC 1015

Professional Communications- No info at this time – TBA

This course focuses on progressive learning of communication and supportive counselling skills. A programmed approach to advance development of interview skills is combined with the use of digital recording and self-assessment. Topics covered include learning to structure a full counselling interview, understanding the skills required, and the ability to assess competencies and plan improvement strategies.
Prerequisite: COUN 1030

This course focuses on the case management skills required for the field of social service work. Students will identify strengths and challenges of the service receipt to assist them in achieving their goals. The student will learn the case management process and the responsibilities and roles associated with client service delivery from intake to termination. Students will examine the legal and ethical rights and responsibilities of clients and workers in the field of social service work.

Participants will examine the multiple variations in family structure and the changing role of the Canadian family in today’s society. Various styles and problems of modern family living will be explored using current literature and personal life experiences. The course will focus on issue and personal awareness and implications for service delivery using family-centred and strength-based approaches.

What we eat, how we move and how we manage stress all have profound effects on our lives and our learning. Wellness explores the basics of physical, emotional and spiritual health and the importance of balancing these areas. Healthy nutrition and lifestyle activities will be discussed, practical stress-management techniques will be demonstrated and spiritual connections to our creativity are explored. Students will take part in a variety of exercises in a friendly environment.

This course will enable students to recognize the diverse needs and experiences of individuals, groups, families and communities and identify change strategies that promote social and economic justice and challenge patterns of oppression and discrimination.

This course introduces the learner to the types of roles, responsibilities, and strategies a social service worker requires when working with service recipients and interdisciplinary teams.

Building on skills gained in previous counselling courses, the student will enhance their awareness of the conscious use of self in a professional helping relationship while focusing on advanced skills of problem and strengths assessment, intervention, evaluation and termination. A programmed approach for learning more in-depth communication skills is enhanced with the use of VTR equipment, peer and faculty feedback.
Prerequisite: COUN 2022\

This course supports the development of an inclusive practice framework for social service workers including social policy, law and a range of problem-solving methods that promote human rights, social justice and social cohesion.

TBA

This course will provide learners with an opportunity to apply their knowledge of social service work through an in-depth inquiry into the types, breadth and requirements for specific placements within the SSW field through a robust collaborative planning process with the placement coordinator and faculty. In a supervised environment, students will begin to explore opportunities to execute critical professional performance elements, such as in-person assessment, advocacy, collaboration and documentation, all within the OCSWSSW scope of practice.
Prerequisite: WKPL 1017

This course is about community development and promoting social change and social justice. Learners will learn about social activism and how individuals and movements have had major positive impacts in changing oppressive practices. Learners will be able to identify community needs and gaps in service, design a program to address the need and write a formal funding proposal.

You will explore the concepts of art, aesthetics, nature and experience as the subject of
artworks, the place of art in life and society and mimetic theories in the philosophy of art.