Overview of the Role of a Community Support Work

Key Summary of the Role of a Community Support Worker

As the profession of a community support worker has been explored and reflected upon throughout the textbook, a solid understanding of the diversity and broad spectrum of the profession has been established. The community support worker profession encompasses a wide scope of practice, from working in group homes with individuals living with a cognitive or physical disability, planning activities and workshops for older adults, working with newcomers in a settlement agency, working with Indigenous clients in a variety of settings, as well as working with individuals living in poverty, the unhoused population, and members of the LGBTQ2S community. This diversity within the profession requires a wide range of skills, as the book has presented. A foundational start for a career path as a CSW includes the following:

• • Knowledge about the history of colonization and the impact of the Indian Act and residential schools in Canada
  • The reasons for immigration and the settlement process
  • An understanding of the impact of life transitions and basic physical changes with aging
  • A solid understanding of different physical and cognitive disabilities
  • Skills required to provide professional care

Aside from these foundational areas of understanding, a successful CSW will be self-aware and reflective, understand trauma, seek to provide a trauma informed practice, embrace the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and be compassionate and understanding to diverse lived experiences. Many clients will have experienced systemic barriers and discrimination in society due to stigma, racism, and a lack of awareness. As a CSW, you will be an advocate, and therefore understanding of the role of an advocate and ally. These are many diverse skills to acquire, and likely you will pursue the specialization most interesting to you. The thread linking all the specializations are helping skills and communication skills, critical thinking, and knowledge about social and systemic issues.

Currently, community support workers work directly with clients in agencies, typically nonprofit agencies that are government funded. This impacts the mission statement and scope of work practised in each agency. Face to face work is extremely important to best apply helping skills and develop rapport with the clients.

Many clients may have had adverse experiences, levels of trust may be low, and relationships and trust take time to develop. Another aspect that a CSW may undertake is policy, grant writing, and fundraising. These roles may not have direct contact with clients, but a deep understanding of the client’s issues, the agency’s mandate, and the scope of practice will be required to effectively succeed in this role. These roles necessitate creativity, knowledge of social media, networking, and computer skills. As the world moves more online and many roles of advocacy and helping others can be undertaken online, it is interesting to imagine what the future role of a CSW may be.