Developmental service work is a specialized field and aspiring developmental service workers need to undergo formal education and training to start up their careers. The program gives them the knowledge and skills required to seek employment in this area.

1. What Do Aspiring Developmental Service
Workers Need to Know?
Developmental Service Workers (DSWs) are specially trained
professionals who provide support and care to people with intellectual or
developmental disabilities. They promote overall well-being and full
community inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities while offering
them personal support to enhance their capacity. They also help build
connections between individuals and families, encourage skill
development, and employ formal and informal strategies to support their
learning.
DSWs possess in-depth understanding of social psychology, the nature of
intellectual disability, pharmacology, and the role of family and
community in one’s life. Although no qualification is required to serve the
community but it’s important to have a deep understanding of the life
experiences of people who have developmental disabilities, best industry
practices and current issues in this field, in order to serve them in the
best possible manner.
Moreover, developmental service work is considered a specialized field in
Canada. Therefore, it’s mandatory to undergo a formal education and
training in this field, in order to seek entry to the world of work.
Developmental service work is an academic and professional discipline
that is concerned with supporting individuals of all ages who have
intellectual abilities, in their homes, at work, in schools and to their
families.
A program in development service work offers a strong foundation in the
field of intellectual or developmental disabilities and essential skills, such
as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, leadership and
interpersonal and teaching and facilitation, time management, reflective
thinking and team skills. Additionally, a wide variety of field placement
opportunities are offered to students that allow them to put their learning
into practice.
Program Details
A post-secondary diploma program in development service work typically
runs for two years through four semesters. It is an intensive program
that offers a unique blend of theory and hands-on experience. You will
study a wide range of subjects, including Introduction to Developmental
Service Work, Interpersonal Skill Development, Valued Social Roles, The

2. Nature of Intellectual Ability, Health Promotion and Personal Well-Being,
Pharmacology, Social Psychology, Supports for Personal Health, Global
Citizenship: From Social Analysis to Social Action, and Community,
Family and Role. The coursework also includes research work, teamwork,
projects, seminars, community observations and career preparation.
Choosing the Right Program
A good program doesn’t solely focus on providing theoretical knowledge
to students. It also provides you with strong industry exposure, helping
them you to prepare for the world of work. Centennial College’s two-year
developmental service worker program incorporates two field
placements in semester three (two-days-per-week) and semester four
(three-days-per-week), to help you gain better understanding of personal
support requirements of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Moreover, the program enables you to fill a variety of work roles, such as
educational assistant, family support worker, employment support
worker, integration facilitator, residential support worker and job coach.
You may also be eligible to apply your academic rewards with selected
universities, institutes and professional associations towards further
studies in health service administration, applied science in family and
community social services, social work or disability studies.
Providing support services to intellectual disable people is a highly
rewarding work on a personal level. And professionally, the field
continues to offer stable employment to individuals.