College Diploma - Social Service Worker - Gerontology (B895)

Program Description The Social Service Worker Gerontology Program at St. Clair College was established in recognition of the need to educate and train professionals to provide frontline services and supports to older adults and their families. The program falls within the scope of practice of the profession of Social Service Work, governed by the Social Work and Social Services Act (1998). The SSWG program promotes the values, ethics, practice and conduct standards for Social Service Work set out in the Ontario College of Social Work and Social Service Worker's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. This two year diploma prepares students with the foundational knowledge and core skills required to work in the diverse and challenging field of eldercare. Theories relevant to understanding the aging process and the needs of seniors are emphasized. Program content includes interpersonal communication, case management, interviewing, group work intervention, diversity, advocacy, social justice, and community practice. In addition, a number of specialized courses such as Activation and Restorative Care, Recreation, Leisure and Therapeutic Program Planning, Dementia Care, Death, Dying, Grief and Bereavement and Volunteer Management expand the knowledge and skill base of students beyond traditional social service worker roles. Students who successfully complete the Social Services Worker Gerontology diploma and the block field placement are eligible for registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).