Updated February 2023

Wondering if a career in social services is right for you? One of the best ways to figure that out is by looking at the skills you'll need to succeed on the job.

If those qualities match up with your profile and interests, chances are you're a good fit for the role.  And if they don't? You're probably better off in another career.

In this post, we're looking at what it takes to be an effective community support worker (CSW). We break down the top 10 characteristics, interests, and skills needed to really thrive in this job.

By the end, you'll know if a CSW career makes sense for you, and exactly how to get started.

Photo: Chika Modozie (far left) standing with local community members (Source: cbc.ca)

Chika Modozie started out with a degree in Business Administration, but she always knew business wasn’t her true calling. She wanted a career where she could help people in need.

After immigrating to Canada almost 10 years ago, Chika found herself looking at new training options. She landed in Herzing’s Community Support Worker (CSW) program, which completely changed the course of her life.

Community Support Worker students in class at the Herzing College Winnipeg campus 

Updated February 2023

Thinking about a career in social services, but don’t want to invest four years in a university degree? You’re probably leaning toward Community Support Worker training. 

There are quite a few colleges offering this program (or something similar) across Canada. Most students do their research, compare all the programs, read all the reviews, and try to figure out which school is right for them. 

Updated October 2022

Helping survivors of family violence is a life mission and true calling for many community support workers (CSWs). The programs and services they deliver at emergency shelters and youth organizations give hope to thousands of people across Canada.

Updated December 2022

Working with disadvantaged and endangered children is truly a special calling. At-risk youth are one of the most vulnerable populations in our society.

Children facing trauma and crisis require skilled advocates—professionals who are trained to offer protection, support, and services that are specially designed to protect their safety, and create long-term solutions for health and wellbeing.

Interested in becoming a child and youth worker in Ottawa? Are you considering Community Services Worker (CSW) training to specialize in this branch of social services?

Updated October 2022

Federal government data shows that 10% to 15% of Canadian seniors suffer from depression. And that number is far higher among those in residential care.

Unfortunately, lack of awareness and stigmatization ensures that many cases of geriatric depression go unreported, undiagnosed, and untreated.

Community support workers (CSWs) are not trained to treat elderly clients with depression or make a clinical diagnosis—however, if CSWs can identify the warning signs, they can quickly intervene and connect those clients with potentially life-saving health care services.

This kind of early intervention is key. There are many treatments available for seniors battling depression, including counselling, medication, psychotherapy, and newer forms of brain stimulation. Once diagnosed, depression is highly treatable.

CSWs are front-line health care professionals who often work closely with elderly clients. They have a unique opportunity to help reverse the negative trend of geriatric depression in Canada. The best place to start is by learning how seniors are impacted by this mood disorder, and which warning signs to watch for.