Community Support Worker Diploma Program: Everything You Need to Know

Community support workers provide physical, psychological and social support to individuals from all walks of life. This role is special because you have the opportunity to help people feel seen, discover more about themselves and improve their lives. In many cases, your support may be all they have.

Robertson Online’s Community Support Worker diploma program will coach you on how to provide support and rehabilitation for individuals in many different social situations, all while interacting with empathy and compassion. We’ll go over what you’ll learn in our online diploma program including key skills, career opportunities and popular roles in Canada.

 

Why study to be a community support worker at Robertson? 

Our Robertson Online Community Support Worker diploma program will set you up for success in your new career while giving you the freedom to live your life while you study. 

With Robertson Online, there are no set class times, so you’ll have the ability to adapt your study schedule and learn when it’s best for you in order to accomplish the week’s goals. Whether you want to start your career, build on your current skills or change careers, our online programs hold you accountable and ensure your success while giving you that flexibility. You also have the option to study on-campus in Calgary, Edmonton or Winnipeg.

To learn more about what it’s like to study online, read our blog Robertson Online & the strengths of online learning and how to get organized when studying online.

 

What will you learn in our online diploma program? 

Our Community Support Worker diploma program will teach you to understand individuals’ different needs and identify the proper supports to help them. You’ll learn how to react in a wide range of scenarios while being kind and empathetic, no matter the situation.

 

Here are some of the key topics you’ll learn in the program: 

• Child/adolescent development and support. How and where a child is raised can have a great impact on their mental and physical health. In our program, you’ll learn about the social, cultural and environmental issues that affect child development and adolescent growth. When you have this knowledge, you’ll be able to provide the proper support to the individual in need. 

• Care for the elderly. As a community support worker, you’ll interact with people from all backgrounds and all ages. It’s important to learn the mental and social aspects of aging, including their effect on information processing, relationships and personality. With this knowledge, you’ll be prepared for palliative care and to provide support for family members. 

• Substance abuse and mental illness. Many support workers encounter situations involving addiction and mental illness. You’ll learn about the major abuse substances and their impact on the body as well as the causes, occurrences and theories of common forms of mental illness.

• Counselling and support techniques. You’ll be able to identify the proper support and counselling services needed for children, youth and adults whether they’re struggling with chronic illness, addiction, mental illness or if they are persons with disabilities. 

 

For more information on the education process, read our blog on how to become a community support worker.

 

How will Robertson Online’s Community Support Worker diploma program propel you forward in your career? 

Robertson Online prepares you to succeed in any environment, whether it’s remote or in a traditional office. Since you choose when and where you study, you have far more flexibility to fit learning into your life without sacrificing your other commitments. So long as you meet your weekly goals, your study schedule is up to you.

You get a mandatory full-time practicum where you will get to apply your skills firsthand in a related role. You will be placed at a relevant organization in the field and work alongside industry professionals, gaining valuable experience to help set you apart in your career. 

You will be job-ready in one year or less. Our programs are designed to get you career-ready fast so you can hit the ground running in your new role. 

 

Community support worker roles

Community support workers have a wide range of career opportunities and work environments. Given the diverse situations and types of people that require support, you have the opportunity to choose which area you’d like to be involved with. Here are a few of the many career paths you can take as a community support worker.

 

 

Child/Youth Care Worker

Child and youth care workers provide support to minors struggling with family issues which may include substance abuse, health problems and dysfunctional family relationships. They interview the children to determine the needed support and work with them and their families to improve their situation. In the case that children have to be put into foster care, the child and youth care worker would assist as well. These roles are often found at community centres, development or school-based programs, foundations and rehabilitation centres. 

 

Adult Care Worker

Adult care workers support the eldery and persons with disabilities to help make their day-to-day tasks manageable. They assist with activities like eating, dressing, bathing, housekeeping and ensuring they take their medication at the proper times. Adult care workers may do at-home visits or work in a nursing home or long-term care facility. 

 

Newcomers Service Worker

As a newcomers service worker, you would help newcomers find housing, employment, improve their communication skills and find schools for their children (among many other things). These workers will support families as well as outsource resources and connect them with the right people to assist when needed. Newcomers service workers serve as their point of contact for getting settled in their new country and play a large role in making newcomers feel welcomed. 

 

Other environments you can work as a community support worker: 

• Child and youth programs
• Public schools
• Rehabilitation centres
• Integrated child care
• Respite care
• Support work programs
• Community living agencies
• Women’s shelters

 

Is a community support worker a good career? We think so, but read our blog if you want to learn more. 

 

How much can you make as a community support worker? 

According to Indeed, the average yearly salary for a community support worker in Canada is around $40,414. Let’s see the average hourly breakdown among some Canadian provinces:

 

• Alberta: $19.64 per hour 
• British Columbia: $21.06 per hour
• Manitoba: $14.97 per hour
• New Brunswick: $15.28 per hour
• Newfoundland and Labrador: $17.16 per hour
• Nova Scotia: $16.29 per hour
• Northwest Territories: $25.19 per hour
• Ontario: $19.66 per hour
• Prince Edward Island: $17.57 per hour
• Quebec: $16.81 per hour
• Saskatchewan: $17.28 per hour
• Yukon: $34.33 per hour

 

What skills would make you an excellent community support worker? 

You’ll gain many valuable skills in the Robertson Online Community Support Worker diploma program. Here’s some skills that will help you succeed. 

• Empathy and compassion. These may be the most important skills needed for this job. The people you interact with are likely going through a lot. Whether it’s personal struggles, family struggles or struggles with illness, a little compassion and patience goes a long way when interacting with your patients. 

• Attention to detail. Every person you interact with is different, which means the type of support or care they need will also be different. Having attention to detail means you’ll be able to ask the right questions to get the right information in order to determine the next steps to help your patient. 

• Interpersonal skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are crucial in order to be successful in this role. Since you’ll be talking to people during most of your day, it’s important to know how to listen, when to ask questions and when it may be good to take a break during difficult conversations. 

• Counselling strategies. One of the most important hard skills you’ll develop in our program are counselling strategies. Since each case you encounter will be unique, having a tool belt of support strategies will allow you to make the best decision when it comes to choosing the right care for the right patient. 

 

Read our blog why to become a community support worker to learn more about the benefits of the role. 

Community support work is a rewarding and in-demand career that truly lets you make a difference in the lives of others. Apply today and start your career journey.