Social and Community Service Workers
(NOC 4212)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesSocial and community service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. They are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centres, school regions, correctional facilities and other establishments.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to remain stable over the next few years. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Social and Community Service Workers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.
The median employment income for 60% of Social and Community Service Workers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $44,343. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$15.50
Minimum$21.00
Median$33.33
MaximumAnnual Pay
$8,266
Minimum$38,472
Median$66,189
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$26.88
Median$46.15
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Social and community service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. They are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centres, school regions, correctional facilities and other establishments.
Job duties
Social and community service workers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Review client background information, interview clients to obtain case history and prepare intake reports.
- Assess clients' relevant skill strengths and needs.
- Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance.
- Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits.
- Refer clients to other social services or assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, day care and other services.
- 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.
- 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.
- Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems.
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions.
- 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.
- Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress.
- Coordinate the volunteer activities of human service agencies, health care facilities and arts and sports organizations.
- May maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research.
- May supervise social service support workers and volunteers.
Sample job titles
- addictions worker
- child and youth care practitioner
- community mental health worker
- community services officer - social services
- crisis intervention worker
- group home worker
- life skills coach
- mental health support worker
- parent navigator
- psychological assistant
- social services worker
Skills
To work in this field, you should have an interest in the welfare of others and a desire to help them. Patience, maturity, and good listening skills are important. You must be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. Leadership, reasoning and decision-making skills are also necessary. An understanding of human nature is also important. You shall be able to establish relationships with and provide appropriate and culturally responsive interventions for clients. Effective mediation and conflict resolution skills are important. You will need to maintain and promote confidentiality as the norm.
Job requirements
- Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline is usually required.
- Social service workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces.
Other considerations
Previous work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may replace formal education requirements for some jobs in this group. Progression to professional occupations in social services, such as family and marriage counsellors, social workers, and probation and parole officers, is possible with additional training and experience. First Aid and CPR as well as a valid driver’s license may be required for some of these positions. Many positions require the ability to work effectively in flexible situations with variable hours.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health Care and Social Assistance
Public Administration
Other Services
Educational Services
Management, Admin & Other Support
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
45-54
35-44
15-24
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
Bachelor's degree
$38,813 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$42,341 median annual incomeHigh school
$35,209 median annual incomeDoctorate
N/ATrades certificate
N/ACompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor's degree
$43,533 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$28,183 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$35,978 median annual incomeHigh school
$25,801 median annual incomeDoctorate
$60,991 median annual incomeEducation & training
Applied behaviour analysis
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the application of principles of learning and behaviour to enhance the development, abilities, and choices of children and adults; and that prepares individuals to address the behavioural needs of individuals, especially those with developmental disabilities and autism. These programs include courses in behaviour analysis and learning, behavioural and functional assessment, developmental psychology, applied behavioural analysis in developmental disabilities and autism, applied behavioural analysis in mental health and aging, research methods, evaluation of interventions, and professional and ethical issues.
Institutions providing this program
50 Elliott Road
Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0
(902) 825-3491
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
Biological and physical sciences
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that is either a general synthesis of one or more of the biological and physical sciences, or a specialization which draws from the biological and physical sciences.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Child and youth care
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to be primary providers of home, family, residential, or institutional-based child care services. These programs include courses in child growth and development; nutrition; recreation; planning and supervision of play and learning activities; child abuse and neglect prevention; parent-child relationships; and applicable legal and administrative requirements.
Institutions providing this program
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Child development
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This program engages students in practical training and theoretical explorations in child and youth work, early childhood education, as well as early intervention and inclusive development.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Community health services/liaison/counselling
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to serve as facilitators, advocates, and referral professionals linking health care and related social services with affected recipient communities. These programs include courses in public and community health, human and social services, health services administration, group counselling, health education, group advocacy, cross-cultural and multilingual communication, and applicable laws and policies.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
Community organization and advocacy
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the theories, principles, and practice of providing services to communities, organizing communities and neighbourhoods for social action, serving as community liaisons to public agencies, and using community resources to furnish information, instruction, and assistance to all members of a community. Prepares individuals to apply such knowledge and skills in community service positions.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Developmental service worker
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply practical knowledge and skills to support individuals with a variety of physical, mental or developmental disabilities in a family or community setting. These programs include courses in health care, basic nutrition, pharmacology, nursing, autism, mental health, psychology, sociology, behavioural analysis, communication, intervention, counselling and community services, and developmental services, such as literacy and life skills training.
Institutions providing this program
315 Jamieson Street
Sydney, NS B1N 2P7
(902) 564-2222
800 Sackville Drive
Lower Sackville, NS B4E 1R8
(902) 463-6700
721 Alexandra Street
Sydney, NS B1S 2H4
(902) 564-6112
45 Alderney Drive
Dartmouth, NS B1N 2P7
(902) 706-5529
Family and community services
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the development and implementation of public, private, and voluntary support services for individuals, families, and localities and that prepares individuals to function in a variety of occupations promoting family life, and family/community development. These programs include courses in family systems, human development, social services, community social and economic development, social policy, voluntary sector activities, and outreach and community education.
Institutions providing this program
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
Human development and family studies - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on basic human developmental and behavioural characteristics of the individual within the context of the family. These programs include courses in the conditions that influence human growth and development; strategies that promote growth and development across the lifespan; and the study of family systems.
Institutions providing this program
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Human services - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepares individuals to work in public and private human services agencies and organizations. These programs include courses in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Mental health counselling/counselor
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to provide evaluations, referrals, and short-term counselling services to help people prevent or remediate personal problems, conflicts, and emotional crises. These programs include courses in human development, psychopathology, individual and group counselling, personality theory, career assessment, patient screening and referral, observation and testing techniques, interviewing skills, professional standards and ethics, and applicable laws and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
800 Sackville Drive
Lower Sackville, NS B4E 1R8
(902) 463-6700
Psychology - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behaviour, the physical and environmental bases of behaviour, and the analysis and treatment of behaviour problems and disorders. These programs include courses in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Social work - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counselling, and that focuses on the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. These programs include courses in social welfare policy; case work planning; social counselling and intervention strategies; administrative procedures and regulations; and specific applications in areas such as child welfare and family services, probation, employment services, and disability counselling.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
Sociology
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. These programs include courses in social theory, sociological research methods, social organization and structure, social stratification and hierarchies, dynamics of social change, family structures, social deviance and control, and applications to the study of specific social groups, social institutions, and social problems.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Substance abuse/addiction counseling
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to help prevent substance abuse, counsel individuals and families with drug and alcohol problems, and perform intervention and therapeutic services for persons suffering from addiction. These programs include courses in individual and group counselling skills, psychology of addiction, sociology, crisis intervention, substance abuse identification methodologies, substance abuse treatment modalities, substance abuse prevention and treatment resources, pharmacology and behavioural aspects of abused substances, treatment evaluation, patient observation and education, group dynamics, professional standards and ethics, and applicable laws and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
Youth services/administration
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to plan, manage, and implement social services for children, youth, and families. These programs include courses in child development and psychology, adolescence, family studies, social work, social services administration, juvenile and family law, program and facilities planning, youth leadership, counselling, probation, casework, applicable procedures, and regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Professional Designation (Voluntary): Professional designation exists and shows that the holder has met the standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, however, professional designation is not necessary to legally work in this job.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.