The Social Service Worker program at Algonquin College’s Perth Campus prepares students to empower individuals, groups, and communities who are in the process of change and growth. The program specializes in rural social service work and students work in partnership with several local agencies to gain hands-on practical experience to better prepare them for employment.
This two-year Ontario College Diploma program prepares students to empower individuals, groups, and communities who are in the process of change and growth.
The curriculum includes courses in social service ethics, social welfare, addictions, mental health, and crisis intervention. Others focus on children and families, seniors, people with disabilities, sustainability and global issues. Diversity is taught across the curriculum.
Students participate in a series of four workshops led by a local native elder.
Academic courses, Service Learning Projects and Field Placements prepare Perth SSW graduates to work in urban and rural settings with any target population from a generalist perspective.
This program is part of Algonquin's mobile learning initiative. All students entering into the program are expected to have and use a laptop or mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements as designated by the program. Students in mobile learning programs will use their devices to enhance their learning experience, obtain and work with course materials, participate in collaborative and mlearning environments and become skilled, confident users of the technologies used within an educational environment and workplace. Hardware and software specifications are outlined at http://mlearning.algonquincollege.com. Computers and supplies can be purchased directly from Algonquin's New Technology Store at educational rates.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
Are mature and dependable.
Have effective interpersonal skills.
Are committed to social justice and anti-oppressive action against racism, sexism, homophobia and colonization.
Understand the importance of successful communication with people they support and community partners.
Are team-oriented and enjoy working with others.
Are able to deal effectively with stressful situations.
Your Career
Graduates may be employed to work as entry-level social service workers in federal, provincial, municipal, non-profit and private social service agencies, including youth service agencies, family service agencies, social service departments, homes for seniors, nursing homes, agencies assisting homeless people, halfway houses, addiction recovery homes, schools, community health centres, group homes, shelters and residential treatment centres. Self employment opportunities may also be available. Graduates support people who are affected by poverty, violence, homelessness and life transitions/crisis situations.
Courses
Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of
instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab,
entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom
sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each
full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is
used to communicate important information about program or course
events.
** The Mobile Computing Fee covers the costs associated with providing various services to students registered in a mandatory laptop programs.
** Students who have coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the request. This request will have to be made annually.
Books and supplies cost approximately $1,000 in the first year and $650 in the second year and can be purchased in the campus bookstore.
Admission Requirements
College Eligibility
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $40 (subject to change) will be charged.
Program Eligibility
English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
Attend a compulsory interview, to which applicants will be invited subject to providing proof of a grade of 65% or higher in Grade 11 English (ENG3C or equivalent). Please note that College Eligibility for the program remains as successful completion of Grade 12 English (ENG4C or equivalent) and this Grade 11 requirement is to determine interview eligibility only.
Provide a completed reference form from an agency supervisor based on relevant volunteer, paid work or educational/co-op placement, working directly with clients, in a Human Service Agency. A minimum of 40 hours is required. The agency setting could include: shelters, extendicare facilities, schools, or other front line agencies dealing with vulnerable people.
Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.
Health Documentation: Students accepted into the Social Service Worker program must meet the following health requirements:
Provide evidence of full and complete immunizations including Hepatitis B vaccine. The Algonquin College Health Services will review the student's record of immunization and provide authorization for entry into field placement. Some field placement agencies may require the Influenza vaccine.
The Social Service Worker program and the profession of Social Service Work are both physically and emotionally demanding. Skills in time management and stress management are an asset.
Police Records Check Documentation: Successful completion of field placement is a requirement for graduation from the Social Service Worker program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities may require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency. If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate.
Field Placement Eligibility: To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a PRCSVS, which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement. You will be required to disclose the contents of the PRCSVS, including all notations, to the placement agencies.
It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police Department prior to the deadline identified by your Department and to pay any associated costs. It may take a long time to obtain this documentation; please submit your application as early as possible. Should you require further information, contact the Program Coordinator.
College Eligibility
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $40 (subject to change) will be charged.
Program Eligibility
English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher. * Attend a compulsory interview, to which applicants will be invited subject to providing proof of a grade of 65% or higher in Grade 11 English (ENG3C or equivalent). Please note that College Eligibility for the program remains as successful completion of Grade 12 English (ENG4C or equivalent) and this Grade 11 requirement is to determine interview eligibility only.
Provide a completed reference form from an agency supervisor based on relevant volunteer, paid work or educational/co-op placement, working directly with clients, in a Human Service Agency. A minimum of 40 hours is required. The agency setting could include: shelters, extendicare facilities, schools, or other front line agencies dealing with vulnerable people.
Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.
Health Documentation:
Students accepted into the Social Service Worker program must meet the following health requirements:
Provide evidence of full and complete immunizations including Hepatitis B vaccine. The Algonquin College Health Services will review the student's record of immunization and provide authorization for entry into field placement. Some field placement agencies may require the Influenza vaccine. * The Social Service Worker program and the profession of Social Service Work are both physically and emotionally demanding. Skills in time management and stress management are an asset.
Police Records Check Documentation:
Successful completion of field placement is a requirement for graduation from the Social Service Worker program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities may require you to have a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency. If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate.
Field Placement Eligibility:
To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of a PRCSVS, which will be retained on your departmental file and used only for purposes related to your placement. You will be required to disclose the contents of the PRCSVS, including all notations, to the placement agencies.
It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police Department prior to the deadline identified by your Department and to pay any associated costs. It may take a long time to obtain this documentation; please submit your application as early as possible. Should you require further information, contact the Program Coordinator.
Application Information
Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:
Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
For further information on the admissions process, contact:
Registrar's Office Algonquin College Heritage Institute 7 Craig Street Perth, ON K7H 1X7 Telephone: 613-267-2859
Additional Information
The program is offered in a variety of formats at Algonquin College Campuses in Ottawa at the Woodroffe Campus, at the Pembroke Campus and at the Perth Campus which is located in the town of Perth in Lanark County, one hour from Ottawa. While the learning outcomes at the Woodroffe, Pembroke and Perth Campuses are the same, the curriculum order and subject delivery are reflective of the local circumstances which affect program delivery. The Perth SSW Program is a mobile/connected program using information technology in the teaching and learning process and students learn case work, group work, community organization and cybersocial service work as methods of practice. Classes occur at a LEED Gold Certified Campus which was opened in 2011.
Students require access to the Internet and computer skills including word processing, PowerPoint and email. Applicants without these skills must seek training prior to entering the program. Algonquin College's Smith Falls Campus offers classes to help ready SSW applicants with computer and research skills.
The intake of the program in Perth is limited to 30 students. Field Placement Seminar classes are capped at 10 students to ensure individual attention and a small team approach.
"Social Service Worker" is a registered professional title which may only be used by members in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). This relates to the Ontario legislation called the "Social Work and Social Service Work Act". The OCSWSSW recognizes the SSW Program at Algonquin College in Perth. Graduates of the program are required by law to join this College in order to use the professional title. The OCSWSSW grants or denies membership. Applicants to OCSWSSW must disclose all criminal convictions including those for which they have been pardoned to the Registrar. Their website is at www.ocswssw.org.
The program of study stipulates that students must successfully complete all courses and field placements at each level before moving on to the next. They must meet and continue to meet the Program Eligibility Requirements for field placements. Students who do not meet these requirements are not eligible to participate in field placements. Those who have a criminal record for which they have not been pardoned have serious challenges securing a field placement in the Social Service Worker Pert program due to the extremely low number of agencies in the region that accept a student with a criminal record. We suggest that applicants in this situation explore the programs at other Algonquin Campuses.
Students with access to transportation and a driver's licence have a wider selection of field placement opportunities. There is no bus service in the town of Perth.
Students may be required to attend counselling as directed by the program faculty. This may require students to defer academics or field placements until personal issues have been resolved. There is a no drug/alcohol policy for classes and field placements. Applicants with addiction issues should have received treatment and have a period of one year of sobriety prior to entering the program.
Awards & Bursaries
The Community Living Lanark County Bursary is open to students in the Social Service Worker program, who is entering his/her third semester and demonstrates financial need.
Every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy
of the information in this publication. The College reserves the
right to modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable, or
campus location at any time
This is a Mobile Learning Program.