What is the community social services sector

Social services in British Columbia are delivered mainly by not-for-profit agencies under service agreements with several provincial ministries and authorities, the largest funders being the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Community Living British Columbia. Hundreds of these agencies operate in union and/or non-union environments; however, since March 2003, non-union agencies are no longer eligible for membership in CSSEA.

Types of services

A majority of people in BC have, at one time or another, come into contact with community social services providers. The services delivered through contracts with agencies vary widely, and include support and care programs for a wide variety of vulnerable clients, such as:

• People with physical, mental and developmental disabilities
• At-risk youth
• Women experiencing family violence
• Families and children with special needs
• New Canadians, refugees and non-English speaking residents
• Aboriginal individuals and communities
• Children who witness abuse
  
  

These people and their families are supported through various activities and programs, for example:

• Home-based services for children and adults with special needs
• Crisis intervention programs
• Transition houses/residential care facilities
• Parenting life skills
• Counselling and life skills drop-in programs
• Emotional behaviour therapy
• Alternative to custody programs
• Counselling for sexually-abused children and their families
• Respite care homes for the developmentally disabled
• Job readiness and community integration services
• Literacy and language skills programs
• Residential and day support programs for developmentally disabled
• Life skills training for adults/children with developmental disabilities in their own homes

Types of jobs

There are hundreds of distinct jobs within the social services sector, most of which involve direct client care. Following is a brief list of job titles found within each of the three main service areas within CSSEA's membership base.

Community living services

• Child Care Resource and Referral Worker
• Clinical Counsellor
• Community Support Worker
• Family Counsellor
• Family Support Worker
• Residence Nurse
• Residence Worker
• Residential Child and Youth Worker
• Retail Worker
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Vocational Worker/Counsellor

General services

• Activity Worker
• Addictions Counsellor
• Adult Youth and Child Worker/Counsellor
• Children Who Witness Abuse Counsellor
• Clinical Counsellor
• Crisis Line Coordinator
• Early Childhood Educator
• Employment Counsellor
• Family Counsellor
• Infant Development Consultant
• Nutritionist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Reconnect Worker
• School Aged Support Worker
• Stopping the Violence Against Women Counsellor
• Transition House Worker

Aboriginal services

• Family Counsellor
• Family Support Worker
• Residence Worker

Most typical job: Residence Worker

A large number of those working in the sector have a job similar to that of a Residence Worker. The number is even higher in the community living sector. The Residence Worker job description follows.

Job Summary
Assists clients to live successfully in residential settings such as group homes. Ensures that clients' physical, emotional, social, educational and medical needs are met. Assists clients to enhance quality of life with activities of daily living and the development of life skills.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Participates in the assessment, goal setting and program planning (Personal Service Plan) for individuals living in a residence. Documents, implements and provides input into the evaluation of the program.
2. Provides life skills training such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care skills and personal finance and implements personal service plans.
3. Assists clients with activities of daily living such as feeding, lifts, transfers, hygiene, grooming and toileting. This may include transfer of function duties such as gastrostomy feeding, tracheostomy management, and suction and bowel management.
4. Participates in various client-focused activities in accordance with care plans.
5. Recognizes, analyzes and deals with potential emergency situations such as clients' aggressive behaviour to ensure no harm comes to the client and/or the public. Reports problems to the supervisor.
6. Administers medication to clients in accordance with established policy.
7. Assists with case management by identifying potential problems and reporting any difficulties. Provides input to counsellor, professional, with regard to the development of appropriate program plans to achieve residents' objectives. Contributes to the evaluation of residents' progress and prepares reports.
8. Provides emotional support and feedback to residents and their families.
9. Transports and assists residents to appointments, shopping or leisure activities.
10. Performs residence maintenance and housekeeping duties such as laundry, sweeping, mopping floors, mowing lawns, inventory, shopping, cleaning equipment and food services.
11. Maintains reports such as statistics, logbooks, daily activities on residents.
12. Identifies social, economic, recreational and educational services in the community that will meet clients' needs. Maintains liaison with other agencies, professionals, government officials and the community.
13. Performs other related duties as required.

Education, Knowledge and Training
Certificate in a related human / social service field. One (1) year recent related experience. Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Communications Contact:
Kathie Best, Director, Member Services
Tel: 604.601.3107
Cell: 604.319.5006
Email: kbest@cssea.bc.ca

Go back to Media Room

Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA) Email: cssea@cssea.bc.ca Phone: 604. 687. 7220 Fax: 604. 687. 7266 Toll Free: 1. 800. 377. 3340 © copyright CSSEA 2003 The contents of this website are protected by copyright. Reproduction by permission only.