Do you like working with people? Do you believe everyone has the right to live life to the fullest? Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Disability Support Worker program offers the training you need to be a community service worker, supportive living worker, educational assistant or life enrichment worker.
Start date
Length
37 weeksLocations(s)
Disability support workers are entrusted with the basic personal care of participants of all ages in residential and vocational settings. You’ll need strong communication skills, a common-sense approach to problem solving, an intuitive understanding of human behaviour and a steady personality.
Disability Support Worker is a one-year certificate program offered in Regina and Saskatoon. It is also offered through distance and/or through the Centre for Continuing Education. Learn from experienced instructors how to provide compassionate, respectful care for individuals with challenging needs and disabling conditions. You’ll develop knowledge and practical skills in:
- basic care skills
- behavioural support and crisis prevention
- disability support services
- exceptionalities and human growth & development
- interpersonal, professional and employability skills
- person-centred planning
- quality of life enhancements
As a disability support worker, you’ll be working with people of all ages and varying levels of ability. The program not only provides the practical skills you’ll need, it also provides a broad knowledge base. You’ll have the tools you need to enhance individual lives, while also building a rewarding career for yourself.
Practical experience is an essential part of your program. You’ll get direct experience helping individuals in two practicums with residential, vocational centre-based or community-based agencies. In caring, secure and stimulating environments, you’ll develop your skills in providing basic care, planning programs and implementing activities.
Career and salary information
Your career
When you graduate, you’ll be qualified to work as a disability support worker, supportive living worker, educational assistant, vocational training worker or community residential worker. Work environments include health care and long-term care facilities, educational institutions, group homes and more. Look for job opportunities with community-based agencies, school systems and government agencies.
For more information, contact the Student Employment Services at a campus nearest you.
Potential careers
| Sample job title | NOC classification |
|---|---|
| Disability support worker | Social & community service workers (42201) |
| Home support worker | Home support workeres, caregivers & related occupations (44101) |
| Special programs aide - education | Elementary & secondary school teacher assistants (43100) |
Admissions
Admission requirements
- Grade 12
- English Language Requirement
Note
- Admitted students will be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search prior to entering required coursework and practicum with children, youth and adults. At the discretion of the agency, a student may be declined access to a practicum placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check, personal interview and/or medical assessment. A student must complete the practicum placements to graduate from the program. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is the student's responsibility.
- Program applicants should be aware that, for the purpose of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search, they must request this from the police service in their home country/community, whether it is from a municipal/city police service or from the RCMP detachment that services their home area.
- Proof of current Standard First Aid and CPR 'C' or equivalent may be required prior to entry into a practicum.
- Accepted international students require a co-op work permit to complete the practicum requirements for this program. This is mandatory. Students who do not have a co-op work permit will not be allowed to participate in their practicums. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they have the required documentation to study in Canada and a co-op work permit to complete the practicum requirements of this program.
Alternative admission
Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.
ACCUPLACER©
Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.
- 250 Arithmetic
- 250 Reading
- 245 Writing
- 4 Writeplacer
Post-secondary
Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.
If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.
Admission method
First Qualified/First AdmittedThe First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.
Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.
Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.
See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.
Tuition and fees
Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.2024-25 academic year
$8,760
Courses
Students must be admitted to the program before taking the practicums.
Get credit for what you know
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.
See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.
- Candidate Guide
- Candidate Guide (Department of Arts and Sciences courses)
- communications, mathematics, sciences, social sciences
- More about PLAR
Transfer credit
Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.
Student awards
Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.
Related programs
Additional information
Have a question? Email ConEd@saskpolytech.ca or call 306-659-4418.