Social and community service workers
Social and community service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
YK, NS, PE
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Review client background information, interview clients to obtain case history and prepare intake reports
- Assess clients' relevant skill strengths and needs
- Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
- Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits
- Refer clients to other social services or assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, day care and other services
- Counsel clients living in group homes and halfway houses, supervise their activities and assist in pre-release and release planning
- Participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs
- Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social services or health care professionals
- Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions
- Advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions
- Provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
- Implement and organize the delivery of specific services within the community
- Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
- Mobilise and coordinate volunteer resources and activities for a range of organizations such as human service agencies, health care facilities, arts and sports, etc.
- May maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research
- May supervise social service support workers and volunteers.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline is usually required.
- checkPrevious work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may replace formal education requirements for some occupations in this unit group.
- checkSocial service workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces.
Market Outlook by Province
Yukon
The employment outlook will be Good for social and community service workers (NOC 42201) in Yukon for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Continued steady population growth has driven demand for this occupation in the Yukon.Here are some key facts about social and community service workers in Yukon: Approximately 450 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Social and community service workers mainly work in the following sectors: Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 49%Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 43% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 16% for all occupations67% of social and community service workers work all year, while 33% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 30% compared to 49% for all occupations Women: 70% compared to 51% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 8% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 25% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 33% compared to 20% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 20% compared to 19% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 8% compared to 11% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Good for social and community service workers (NOC 42201) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.A continued focus on general wellness and mental health is a positive factor for those seeking work in this field. Opportunities are also influenced by government funding and population demographics. This is a fairly large occupational group, with a wide range of potential employers, so positions are often created through replacement and normal turnover. While vacancies are plentiful, work environments vary quite a bit and competition tends to be stronger for some positions. Entry into the occupation is often through casual or relief employment.Here are some key facts about social and community service workers in Nova Scotia: Approximately 4,200 people work in this occupation. Social and community service workers mainly work in the following sectors: Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 38%Social assistance (NAICS 624): 26%Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 8%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 6% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 18% for all occupations71% of social and community service workers work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 23% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 77% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 19% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 31% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 33% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 10% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Prince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Good for social and community service workers (NOC 42201) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Social and community service workers in Prince Edward Island remain in demand, with employment opportunities supported by the province’s continued focus on mental health, addictions, and community wellness programs. Most workers are employed in health care and social assistance, including nursing and residential care facilities, family service agencies, hospitals, and schools. Candidates typically require postsecondary education in social sciences or human services, and flexibility is essential, as jobs often involve shift work, multiple clinical locations, and home visits. For new graduates or career changers, this occupation offers valuable experience, diverse career pathways, and steady demand tied to government funding, though competition and funding limits mean that persistence and adaptability are key to securing stable roles. Here are some key facts about social and community service workers in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 1,050 people work in this occupation. Social and community service workers mainly work in the following sectors: Social assistance (NAICS 624): 32%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 18%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 15%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 10%Other services (except public administration) (NAICS 81): 7% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 86% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 14% compared to 16% for all occupations68% of social and community service workers work all year, while 32% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 31% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 69% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 13% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 12% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 40% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 27% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 42201 openings right now.
Cssalberta
9 active roles · Edmonton, AB · Red Deer, AB
Cass
8 active roles · Calgary, AB
Connective
6 active roles · Prince George, BC · Port Alberni, BC
Indwell
5 active roles · St. Thomas, ON · Woodstock, ON
Newage
4 active roles · Calgary, AB
Lookout Housing and Health Society
4 active roles · Vancouver, BC · Duncan, BC
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Search Social and community service workersarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Oral Communication: Active Listening
to ensure clients feel heard and valued in order to build trust and provide relevant support
Social Perceptiveness
to recognize clients’ unspoken needs, assess their situations accurately and provide appropriate support and interventions
Multitasking
to manage multiple clients simultaneously with diverse needs, ensuring case management, administrative tasks and coordination with other services
Verbal Ability and Speech Clarity
to effectively and clearly communicate with clients, colleagues and community partners to provide guidance or support
Collaboration
to coordinate services with other professionals, agencies and community organizations and ensure clients receive the full range of assistance needed
Knowledge in Humanities
to understand human behaviour, social structures and cultural context, approach clients with empathy, and design and implement programs that are socially relevant
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