Developmental Services Worker (Fast Track)

*Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and Convention refugees.
Do you believe having a positive and direct impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities is a career worth pursuing? Are you looking for personal and professional satisfaction on a daily basis? If so, Fanshawe's Developmental Services Worker (DSW) Fast Track program will guide you toward your goals in just 12 months.
Using a biopsychosocial approach to complex needs, you'll become a highly skilled and reflective practitioner 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. And with over 700 hours of field experience with community agencies and school partners, you’ll gain the first-hand experience and confidence necessary for success. You'll also have the opportunity to transfer credits for further education at universities such as Ryerson, Windsor, Calgary and Western.
Fanshawe DSW program graduates are in high demand. The majority of grads - if not all - find fulfilling employment within six months as direct support professionals, case managers/service coordinators or as educational assistants at a school board.
Developmental Services Worker (Fast Track)
Graduates of Fanshawe's Developmental Services Worker (Fast Track) program may find employment opportunities in working with people with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings such as in their homes, day programs providing employment and/or leisure support, working on a clinical or case coordination teams, or in schools as educational assistants, and camps. New graduates are employed as direct support professionals or educational assistants.
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 Developmental Services Worker (Fast Track) program:
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to
1. conduct oneself in an ethical*, competent* and accountable* manner in all professional relationships.
2. provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities
3. provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice*.
4. support health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities.
5. employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with developmental disabilities.
6. provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities*
7. develop professional and personal plans that enhance job performance and well-being.
Karen Klee
An Ontario College Diploma in Community Studies
OR
A University Degree in Psychology,
Sociology or a related Social Sciences area
OR
A combination of relevant education and
work experience in a related field as judged by the College to be
equivalent to the above
Test | Score |
---|---|
TOEFL iBT | 79 |
IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands |
CAEL | Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands. score of 80 in listening |
PTE Academic | 53 |
Cambridge English | Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162 |
ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10 |
Duolingo | Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 95 |
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
Level 2 | ||||
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
Group 1 | ||||
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. | ||||
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. | ||||
HLTH-1198 | Health & Wellness 2 | 3 | ||
This course continues to explore the health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities through the study of common health conditions and diseases along with basic health care skills. Course content will be integrated with the role of the DSW as a member of an inter-professional health care team. | ||||
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. | ||||
BSCI-1275 | Positive Behaviour Interventions 1 | 2 | ||
The Developmental Services Worker student will be provided an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of positive behavioural intervention theories used within an ethical framework to support people living with developmental disabilities. The student will design and construct antecedent intervention tools and demonstrate skills in crisis de-escalation, prevention, and management to address complex and challenging behaviours while developing related skills in recording and documentation of these practices. | ||||
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. | ||||
DEVL-3015 | Professionalism 2 | 3 | ||
Students will demonstrate interpersonal skills appropriate to the role of a Developmental Services Worker with consideration for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the developmental services sector through electronic and written formats. Students will be introduced to the topic of abuse, reporting responsibilities, and other professional standard documentation practices. Behavioural based interview skills will be introduced. Students will develop an awareness of field options and develop professionalism skills to prepare/participate in the field. |
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.