Developmental Services Worker

Program Overview

The Developmental Service Worker program is a two-year Ontario college diploma for students interested in having a direct impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities. You will become a highly skilled practitioner able to deliver person-directed support through courses that promote mental and physical health, develop interpersonal and interprofessional skills and foster independence and positive behaviour supports. New graduates are employed as direct supports professionals or educational assistants.

Program Details

Program Code

DSW1

Credential:

Ontario College Diploma

Delivery

Day Time

Full-Time

Part-Time

Duration

60 weeks

Your Learning Experience

If you believe that having a positive and direct impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities is a career worth pursuing, then the Developmental Services Worker (DSW) program is designed for you.

Students will become highly skilled and reflective practitioners while supporting people of all ages to live as independently as possible, while promoting inclusive communities. Your courses will be dynamic with a focus on mental and physical health, interpersonal skills, teaching and positive behaviour supports. You'll learn how to collaborate and build relationships with family members, and to work with the diverse network of professionals who support people with developmental disabilities.

With nearly 700 hours of field experience with community agencies and school partners, you’ll gain the first-hand experience and confidence necessary for success as a developmental support worker.

You'll also have the opportunity to transfer credits for further education at universities such as Ryerson, Windsor, Calgary and Western.

High Demand DSW jobs

Fanshawe DSW program graduates are in high demand. The majority of grads - if not all - find fulfilling employment within 6 months as direct support professionals, case managers/service coordinators or as educational assistants at a school board.

The Developmental Services Worker two-year diploma program prepares its graduates to be specialists in supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities. Inherent to the role of a DSW is the ability to collaborate and build relationships with people with developmental disabilities and their families and to work with colleagues and members of inter-professional teams to facilitate a seamless network of support for people.

Courses focus on disabilities, person-directed supports, inclusion and community resources, dual diagnosis, interpersonal skills, counselling, health, pharmacology, development, teaching and intervention strategies.

Field placements in community agencies and/or schools are part of the curriculum. Students on field placement are required to work evening shifts and cover any costs associated with preparation for fieldwork.

Graduates from this program wanting to transfer to another Community Studies program at Fanshawe College, may qualify for some internal credits that have already been achieved.

Career Information

Graduates of Fanshawe’s Development Services Worker program will be employed within community-based agencies and board of education to support persons with developmental disabilities by promoting life skills, education, employment and leisure support. Graduates are also trained in counselling, advocacy, health and pharmacology.

Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Development Services Worker program:

Developmental Service Worker
Provide a high quality of service and support to people with developmental disabilities by striving to promote and facilitate community inclusion, meaningful participation and full citizenship.

Service Navigator

Work with individuals, their families and community agencies to address the needs of adults living with a developmental disability and/or seeking developmental services to address a diagnosis.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to

Conduct oneself in an ethical*, competent* and accountable* manner in all professional relationships.
Provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities
Provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice*.
Support health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities.
Employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with intellectual disabilities.
Provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities*
Develop professional and personal plans that enhance job performance and well-being.

Admission Requirements

OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U),University/College (M), or Open (O) stream WITH:
- Any Grade 12 English (C) or (U)
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate(ACE)
OR
Human Services Foundation Ontario CollegeCertificate AND:
- standing in the required course stated above
OR
Ontario High School EquivalencyCertificate (GED)
OR
Mature Applicant with standing in the required course stated above

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be requiredto demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the followingmethods:

A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English creditfrom an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on theprogram's Admission Requirements
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with aminimum score of 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), withtest results within the last two years
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academictest with an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 inany of the four bands, with test results within the last twoyears. SDSProgram Requirements.
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overallscore of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands,with test results within the last two years
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of53, with test results within the last two years
A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score onthe Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than162, with test results within the last two years
An English Language Evaluation (ELE) at Fanshawe College with aminimum score of 70% in all sections of the test, with test resultswithin the last two years
Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% inESL4/GAP5 Level 8, 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9, or 70% in ESL4/GAP5Level 10

Recommended Academic Preparation

Any Grade 12 Mathematics (C) or (U)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (C) or (U)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Chemistry (C) or (U)
Grade 11 Raising Healthy Children (O)
Grade 11 Working with Infants and Young Children (C)
Grade 12 Challenge and Change in Society (U)
Grade 12 Families in Canada (C) or (U)
Grade 12 Human Development Throughout the Lifespan (M)

Recommended Personal Preparation

Students should develop personal responsibility and leadershiptraits by participating in school and social organizations whichare concerned with helping people
Work or volunteer experience in this field is important

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the availablespaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:

Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date,Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come,first-served basis until the program is full)
Achievement in the Admission Requirements

Note:

Admission to the Fanshawe College Human Services Foundationprogram does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year tothe Developmental Services Worker program. Successfulcompletion of the Fanshawe College Human Services Foundationprogram, however, does enable the student to be given additionalconsideration when applying to the Developmental ServicesWorker program. The Human ServicesFoundation program is the preferred designated preparatoryprogram for admission to the Developmental ServicesWorker program.

Post-Admission Requirements

See Post-Admission Requirements

More Information

More info about post-admission requirements.

Courses

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
BSCI-1211	Developmental Disabilities 2	3
This course describes the etiology and characteristics of various developmental disabilities and syndromes including the implications for support. Students will learn about causes of common disabilities and methods of prenatal assessment and screening.
BSCI-1010	Developmental Psychology	3
This course examines the field of Developmental Psychology in the context of physical, cognitive, language, social & personality development throughout the human lifespan. The major theoretical models and research related to human development will be presented. Comparisons will be made between typical and atypical development throughout the lifespan. Application of theory and knowledge to persons with developmental disabilities will illustrate the various forms of support that Developmental Services Workers can provide in order to promote development throughout the lifespan.
WRIT-1094	Reason & Writing 1 for Community Studies	3
This course will introduce Community Studies students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking.
BSCI-1207	Developmental Disabilities 1	3
This course provides a working knowledge of service systems for people with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario including history and its impact on current services. This course also examines marginalization and its impact on the provision of support.
PHIL-1016	Philosophy of Support	2
This course assists students in developing a personal philosophy of support by examining their personal and professional values within the context of labelling theory, advocacy, empowerment, stereotypes, diversity, inclusion and boundaries.
HLTH-1197	Health & Wellness 1	3
This course introduces the student to the promotion of the health and well-being of people with a developmental disability through the study of healthy body systems and basic health promotion skills. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the DSW as a member of an inter-professional health care team.
DEVL-1055	Professionalism 1	2
This course introduces Developmental Services Worker students to values, principles and skills essential to understanding their role as a Direct Support Professional. The student will be able to describe the professional values and ethics of the Developmental Services Worker profession and its application to the field. Students will also be introduced to the importance of evidence-based practice. Students will apply the principles and standards as they learn the process of developing their own personal and professional goals in the field of developmental services.
BSCI-1274	Teaching & Learning in Dev Services 1	2
This course introduces DSW students to learning and teaching theories and principles as a means of supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and other diverse learning needs. Students will develop an understanding of biopsychosocial and environmental factors that impact learning, and begin to apply their knowledge using person-centered, positive teaching techniques.