What Do Aspiring Developmental Service Workers Need to Know?
Posted by Jason White on Thursday, June 19, 2014
Under: College Education
Developmental Service Workers (DSWs) are specially trained professionals
who provide support and care to people with intellectual or
developmental disabilities. They promote overall well-being and full
community inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities while
offering them personal support to enhance their capacity. They also help
build connections between individuals and families, encourage skill
development, and employ formal and informal strategies to support their
learning.
DSWs possess in-depth understanding of social psychology, the nature of
intellectual disability, pharmacology, and the role of family and
community in one's life. Although no qualification is required to serve
the community but it's important to have a deep understanding of the
life experiences of people who have developmental disabilities, best
industry practices and current issues in this field, in order to serve
them in the best possible manner.
Moreover, developmental service work is considered a specialized field
in Canada. Therefore, it's mandatory to undergo a formal education and
training in this field, in order to seek entry to the world of work.
Developmental service work is an academic and professional discipline
that is concerned with supporting individuals of all ages who have
intellectual abilities, in their homes, at work, in schools and to their
families.
A program in development service work offers a strong foundation in the
field of intellectual or developmental disabilities and essential
skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication,
leadership and interpersonal and teaching and facilitation, time
management, reflective thinking and team skills. Additionally, a wide
variety of field placement opportunities are offered to students that
allow them to put their learning into practice.
Program Details
A post-secondary diploma program in development service work typically
runs for two years through four semesters. It is an intensive program
that offers a unique blend of theory and hands-on experience. You will
study a wide range of subjects, including Introduction to Developmental
Service Work, Interpersonal Skill Development, Valued Social Roles, The
Nature of Intellectual Ability, Health Promotion and Personal
Well-Being, Pharmacology, Social Psychology, Supports for Personal
Health, Global Citizenship: From Social Analysis to Social Action, and
Community, Family and Role. The coursework also includes research work,
teamwork, projects, seminars, community observations and career
preparation.
Choosing the Right Program
A good program doesn't solely focus on providing theoretical knowledge
to students. It also provides you with strong industry exposure, helping
them you to prepare for the world of work. Centennial College's
two-year developmental service workers program
incorporates two field placements in semester three (two-days-per-week)
and semester four (three-days-per-week), to help you gain better
understanding of personal support requirements of individuals with
intellectual disabilities.
Moreover, the program enables you to fill a variety of work roles, such
as educational assistant, family support worker, employment support
worker, integration facilitator, residential support worker and job
coach.
You may also be eligible to apply your academic rewards with selected
universities, institutes and professional associations towards further
studies in health service administration, applied science in family and
community social services, social work or disability studies.
Providing support services to intellectual disable people is a highly
rewarding work on a personal level. And professionally, the field
continues to offer stable employment to individuals.
In : College Education
Tags: developmental service workers