Social Service Worker

Sheridan College’s Social Service Worker program prepares students to work across a wide range of community service environments by building strong foundational knowledge and applied professional skills. Learners are taught by experienced faculty and guest speakers from fields such as family therapy, policy development, social work, and social justice, gaining insight into the realities of social service practice. The program combines classroom learning with laboratory-based practice to strengthen practical competencies and introduce students to the planning and development of community service organizations.

Students develop essential skills in client assessment, intervention planning, advocacy, and systems navigation, including working with government agencies and understanding regulatory frameworks. The curriculum emphasizes ethical practice, service delivery awareness, and professional boundaries, ensuring students understand the scope of their role and appropriate referral processes. Through more than 600 hours of supervised field placement with community organizations such as group homes, youth centres, and children’s aid agencies, students gain hands-on experience that reinforces their classroom learning and prepares them for entry into the social services field.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.

What You’ll Learn

• Develop skills in client assessment, intervention planning, and advocacy within community service settings.
• Learn to navigate social service systems, government agencies, and relevant policies and regulations.
• Build understanding of ethical practice, professional boundaries, and appropriate referral processes.
• Gain hands-on experience through over 600 hours of field placement in community organizations.