How to Become a Community Services and Support Worker

Community Services and Support Workers must have a proven ability to work well under pressure.

What does a Community Services and Support Worker Do?

Community Service and Support Workers help locate and/or implement medical, personal and other assistance to people in need. Community Service and Support Workers work with all members of the community, including homeless persons, pregnant teenagers, people with substance abuse problems and more.

Depending on the workplace, Community Service & Support Workers can have any number of additional duties, including preparing intake reports, interviewing clients to determine their needs, referring clients to appropriate services and providing crisis intervention when necessary. Community Service & Support Workers counsel clients to resolve any difficulties or problems they may be having and then follow up regularly to monitor their progress. Workers may refer clients to residential, in-patient, detoxification and/or mental health programs, and they may accompany clients to treatment programs if needed.

Is This Career Right For Me?

Community Services and Support Workers must have exceptional organization skills and a proven ability to work well under pressure. They need significant problem-solving and multi-tasking skills and always maintain a positive and helpful attitude, even in difficult situations. Most importantly, they need to have empathy and compassion for others, and a genuine desire to contribute to the safety of their clients.

Where are the Jobs?

Community Services and Support Workers can find employment in a number of different areas, including Community Legal Centres, Mental Health Agencies, Correctional Facilities, Women’s or Youth Refuges or Crisis Centres, Residential Aged Care Services and Community Aged Care Services, Juvenile Residential Facilities, Alcohol and Drug Services, Advocacy Services and Aged or Disability Respite Services.