Community Support Worker Program (CSW)
Make a Difference! Start Your Career in Community Support
Semesters: Spring | Fall | Summer | Winter
- Surrey | Abbotsford | Kelowna Campus
- 816 Hours
- 7 Months
Program Overview
The Community Support Worker (CSW) Program is a comprehensive and intensive 7-month training program designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide essential support to individuals within their community. Based in the beautiful province of British Columbia, this program spans over 816 hours of engaging coursework and hands-on practical experience.
Through a combination of classroom learning and supervised field practicums, students will gain insights into areas such as mental health, substance-abuse disorder, disability services, and social work ethics.
The program entails classroom instruction, as well as fieldwork practicums. Students learn about the various roles and responsibilities of Community Support Workers, as well as how to effectively communicate with individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health issues.
This course offer students the opportunity to learn about the various services that Community Support Workers provide. They also cover the importance of developing trusting relationships with clients and working collaboratively with other service providers.
Course Highlights
Hours of instruction: 816
Full-time duration: 7 Months
Homework Hours: 10-15 hours per week.
Attendance Expectations: Students are required to maintain their attendance as per the FC attendance policy.
Graduation Requirements: To graduate, students must successfully complete all courses with minimum C grade (50% to 59%).
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. This program is not eligible for PGWP.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Community Support Worker course can expect to find a career working in one of the following positions:
- Community Support Worker
- Crisis Intervention Worker
- Indigenous Outreach Worker
- Addictions Worker
- Drop-in Centre Worker
- Women’s Shelter Worker
- Child and Youth Worker
Salary Range
Course Curriculum
Professional
Development — 56 hrs
Social
Services — 48 hrs
Indigenous Health
and Health Care — 96 hrs
Interpersonal
Communications — 96 hrs
Mental
Health — 48 hrs
Substance Use and
Abuse — 48 hrs
Introduction to
Counselling — 60 hrs
Growth
and Development — 53 hrs
Crisis
Resolution
Techniques — 52 hrs
Medication Basics — 48 hrs
Supportive Care — 48 hrs
Practicum — 163 hrs
Admission Requirements
Grade 12/GED or 19+ years of age
Successful completion of Focus College Entrance Interview.The interview will discuss the student’s interest in the CSW field. The interview will determine the student’s ability to work with individuals with diverse abilities.
Submission of a clear Ministry of Justice criminal record search within six months upon completion of the CSW program
Letter of reference attesting to suitability for dealings with individuals with developmental disabilities.
Applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency through any one of the following:
- Completion of 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages
- Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction
- An English Language Proficiency Test with one of the following minimum scores:
- International English Testing (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 6.0
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 67 (TOEFL-Home test not accepted).
- Canadian English Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 7, and Writing 7
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 105
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 52
See full English Language Proficiency Requirements for details.
Negative TB test result submitted prior to first practice experience.
Approximately 10-15 hours/week homework is required from students to be successful in this fast-paced and intensive program.
Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fee: $8,500
- Application Fee: $250
- Administration Fee: $100
- Books: $1,200
- Archive Fee: $30
- Total Fees: $10,080*
*Domestic students may qualify for financial aid or Focus College scholarships. Complete the application form or visit our Financial Assistance page to learn more.
- Tuition Fee: $12,500
- Application Fee: $500
- Administration Fee: $100
- Books: $1,200
- Archive Fee: $30
- Total Fees: $14,330
