A Community Support Worker is a professional who plays a crucial role in providing assistance, guidance, and support to individuals within their community. They work with diverse populations, including children, youth, adults, and seniors, to help improve their overall well-being and quality of life. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Community Support Workers.

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Main Responsibilities of a Community Support Worker

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Community Support Worker:

Abide by

Abide by confidentiality parameters.

Act

Act to fit the situation or the person involved.

Address

Address individuals physical and behavioural support needs.

Adhere to

Adhere to the Society's Service Principles, policies and procedures.

Advocate

Advocate for individuals' rights and ensure they have access to necessary resources.

Anticipate

Anticipate reactions to messages and adapts communications accordingly.

Arrange

Arrange transportation for brief service caseload when urgent and appropriate (eg. Medical Travel).

Assess

• Assess and assist with client personal needs e.g. hygiene, nutrition, medical, and / or emotional.

• Assess, refer, and support participants through systems navigation.

Assist in

• Assist in developing connections and friendships.

• Assist individuals in accessing educational and vocational training programs.

• Assist individuals in developing and maintaining healthy social relationships.

• Assist individuals in developing daily living skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene.

• Assist individuals in identifying and achieving their personal goals.

• Assist individuals in maintaining a safe and clean living environment.

• Assist in preparing food for children, serving, and feeding meals and refreshments to children.

• Assist the individual in accepting the responsibilities of his / her choices.

• Assist with case management by identifying potential problems and reporting any difficulties.

• Assist with inventory control as delegated by Operations Supervisor.

• Assist with special program activities and events, as required.

Attend

Attend meetings and trainings as required.

Build

Build positive relationships with family and child.

Carry out

Carry out tasks, accepts assignments, completes assignments.

Check in

Check in with participants daily.

Clean

Clean all areas as assigned on a regular basis.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with community organizations and agencies to enhance services and support networks.

• Collaborate with families and caregivers to provide ongoing support and guidance.

• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses and therapists, to ensure comprehensive care.

Communicate

• Communicate effectively in English both verbally and written.

• Communicate necessary information to ensure holistic supports are present.

• Communicate respectfully and patiently, with supported individuals and others in the community.

• Communicate with family and with Lifetime Networks Coordinator.

Complete

• Complete all reports and recordkeeping in an accurate and timely manner.

• Complete incident reports and daily logs in a timely manner.

Confirm

Confirm shifts with families and confirm schedule with office.

Contribute

Contribute to the evaluation of the individuals' progress and prepares a report.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and accompany individuals to appointments, activities, and community events.

• Coordinate, attend, participate in team / staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required.

Deal

Deal honestly and fairly with others, showing consideration and respect.

Develop

• Develop and implement behavior management strategies for individuals with challenging behaviors.

• Develop and implement personalized support plans for each individual.

• Develop trusting relationships with participants in order to provide the best support possible.

Divide

Divide issues into categories (e.g., pros and cons).

Document

• Document, implement and provide input into the evaluation of the program plan.

• Document resident interactions, referrals, progress and any change in behaviour.

Educate

Educate individuals on health promotion, disease prevention, and self-care strategies.

Enlist

Enlist the person's support network to enhance the quality of service.

Ensure

• Ensure clear lines of communication with outside organizations who serve the residents.

• Ensure health and safety standards are maintained.

• Ensure interactions demonstrate value for all people at all times.

• Ensure participants' voices are heard in decisions that affect them.

• Ensure that individual's physical, emotional, social, educational, medical needs are met.

• Ensure that participants actively participate in the planning process of their individual programs.

• Ensure the health and safety of all workers under your direct supervision.

• Ensure the individual's health, safety and well-being.

• Ensure the participant is prepared for the day's activities.

• Ensure the safety of individuals.

Enter

Enter client data into the Efforts to Outcomes Database.

Establish

Establish relationships with each person based on trust and empathy.

Evaluate

• Evaluate and post grades in a timely manner.

• Evaluate student performance fairly, promptly and consistently.

Express

Express divergent opinions and disagreements with tact.

Facilitate

• Facilitate group activities and socialization opportunities for individuals.

• Facilitate life skills development.

• Facilitate physical, recreational and educational activities.

• Facilitate recreation and physical exercise based on interest.

Follow

Follow safe work procedures and act safely in the workplace at all times.

Foster

• Foster a supportive and inclusive environment that respects individuals' cultural and personal diversity.

• Foster the learning and development of people we serve through coaching, mentoring and empowering.

Help

• Help build a culture that supports and develop participants' and the community's strengths.

• Help individuals navigate social services and connect with relevant community resources.

Identify

Identify client needs and expectations.

Instruct

Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment.

Interact

Interact well with others.

Know

Know assigned participant's protocols, history and personal binders.

Look

Look behind the face value of a set of facts.

Maintain

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of individuals' progress and interventions.

• Maintain a high level of professionalism, including good personal boundaries and clear communication.

• Maintain and follow protocols, plans and instruction as prescribed.

• Maintain clear communication regarding mutual expectations.

• Maintain composure when challenged by others.

• Maintain First Aid Certification.

• Maintain positive professional boundaries.

• Maintain reports and records such as daily logs and accreditation outcomes data collection reports.

• Maintain supportive relationships with each individual's families, friends, and advocates.

• Maintain written logs, document pertinent information as it relates to youth and programs provided.

Make

Make specific changes in the system or in own work methods to improve performance.

Manage

Manage challenging behaviours in a calm, respectful, and dignified manner.

Monitor

Monitor and document individuals' progress and any changes in their physical or mental health.

Observe

Observe and monitor children's play activities.

Offer

Offer guidance in financial management, including budgeting and accessing financial support.

Oversee

Oversee medication prescriptions and adherence, support in medical needs.

Participate in

• Participate actively in staff training.

• Participate in external committees as required.

• Participate in ongoing professional development and training opportunities.

• Participate in on-going program development.

• Participate in regular Team Meetings.

• Participate in team meetings and case conferences to discuss individuals' needs and progress.

• Participate in the upkeep, cleanliness, and maintenance of VCRS homes and vehicles.

Perform

• Perform all supervision and personal care duties required by the residents during assigned shifts.

• Perform cleaning duties as outlined in the Ozanam Center's cleaning schedules.

• Perform housekeeping duties such as cleaning and dish washing after meal preparation as required.

• Perform other duties as require.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Plan

Plan and deliver participant programs.

Prepare

• Prepare and serve meals as required.

• Prepare light meals as needed or requested by the client.

Promote

• Promote and encourage learning and development in daily living, social and life skills.

• Promote individuals' independence and autonomy in decision-making.

Provide

• Provide a range of supports, serving homeless / at risk individuals.

• Provide assessment of opportunities for independence and inclusion based on strengths and abilities.

• Provide assistance to volunteers, as required.

• Provide assistance with shopping for groceries, household and personal items.

• Provide basic needs for adults living with mental illnesses, addictions and chronic homelessness.

• Provide community support.

• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques when necessary.

• Provide crisis management support during emergencies or natural disasters.

• Provide emotional support and actively listen to individuals' concerns.

• Provide emotional support to individuals and monitor their well-being.

• Provide emotional support to participants and monitor their well - being.

• Provide every opportunity for an individual to make choices and decisions regarding his / her life.

• Provide input into the agency's continuous quality improvement process as required.

• Provide participants with a positive, caring role model.

• Provide personal assistance and care to clients.

• Provide personal care for each person in a safe and respectful manner.

• Provide positive support and feedback.

• Provide short term support to Ontario Works participants in the community.

• Provide support and feedback to the participants and / or the family.

• Provide training and support.

Read

Read all meeting minutes, log entries, incident reports, and memos.

Receive

Receive and admit clients according to designated intake procedures.

Recognize

• Recognize and act on cause and effect relationships (A leads to B).

• Recognize that problems may be multi-dimensional.

Record

Record student attendance and grades.

Refer

• Refer complex questions to a higher decision-making level.

• Refer patients, clients or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.

• Refer the resident back to their Case Worker whenever possible / necessary.

Remain

• Remain alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and take appropriate action.

• Remain empathetic and supportive of the individuals we support and co-workers.

Report

• Report absenteeism to the Campus Administrator.

• Report all forms of abuse and suspected abuse to office immediately.

• Report any necessary maintenance to the Operations Supervisor.

• Report concerns to the program manager.

• Report directly to the Manager and the individual's family.

• Report them immediately to your supervisor or employer.

Respond to

• Respond to requests efficiently and effectively.

• Respond to student inquiries and provide feedback in a respectful and timely manner.

Schedule

Schedule may change based on the needs of the individual.

Seek

Seek feedback to develop a clear understanding of client needs and outcomes.

Stay updated on

• Stay informed about community resources and services to provide relevant referrals.

• Stay updated on best practices and trends in the field of community support work.

Supervise

• Supervise activities of clients living in group homes and homeless shelters.

• Supervise and ensure the safety of the children at all times.

Support

• Support individuals in managing medication schedules and maintaining adherence.

• Support the administrative functions of the campus to enhance the student experience.

• Support the individual with dignity, respect and provide emotional support.

• Support the working relationship between residents and Case Workers.

• Support Worker for Wellspring Support, you will follow the direction of the Program Director.

Take

• Take every reasonable precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of clients.

• Take participants on outings around the community.

• Take part in planning options for participants.

Track

Track student attendance, performance and grades.

Understand

• Understand behavioural guidelines and incident reporting procedures.

• Understand the goals of the team and each team member's role within it.

Undertake

Undertake other duties as assigned from time to time.

Uphold

Uphold ethical standards and maintain confidentiality in all interactions.

Use

• Use client satisfaction monitoring methodologies to ensure clients satisfaction.

• Use de-escalation skills and provide crisis intervention as required.

• Use knowledge and / or experience to understand, evaluate and solve problems / issues.

• Use outcome-based performance for the individuals we support and for themselves.

• Use the protective clothing, devices, and equipment provided.

Visit

Visit seniors and accompany seniors to programs as necessary.

Work with

• Work cooperatively and effectively with other staff, volunteers, & clients.

• Work within the community as well as in clients' places of residence.

• Work with the team to understand and facilitate the individual's goals and vision of a good life.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Community Support Worker:

1. Knowledge of social services and community resources.

2. Proficiency in using computer software and electronic documentation systems.

3. Basic medical knowledge and understanding of common health conditions.

4. Ability to administer first aid and CPR, if necessary.

5. Familiarity with crisis intervention techniques and de-escalation strategies.

6. Understanding of behavior management principles and techniques.

7. Knowledge of legal and ethical guidelines in providing support services.

8. Basic understanding of mental health conditions and strategies for supporting individuals.

9. Ability to assist with medication administration and manage medication schedules.

10. Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies affecting individuals with disabilities or special needs.

11. Competence in assisting individuals with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.

12. Understanding of principles of child and adult safeguarding.

13. Knowledge of developmental milestones and strategies for supporting individuals at different stages of life.

14. Ability to facilitate and lead group activities and educational sessions.

15. Proficiency in crisis management and emergency response

16. Knowledge of principles and techniques for supporting individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds.

17. Ability to operate and maintain assistive devices and equipment, such as wheelchairs or communication aids.

18. Understanding of basic counseling and active listening skills.

19. Proficiency in risk assessment and safety protocols.

20. Knowledge of community integration strategies and programs.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Community Support Worker:

1. Empathy: Demonstrating empathy allows Community Support Workers to understand and connect with individuals, showing compassion and sensitivity towards their needs and experiences.

2. Communication: Strong communication skills are essential for building rapport, conveying information effectively, and advocating for individuals. This includes both verbal and written communication.

3. Active Listening: Being attentive and actively listening to individuals helps Community Support Workers understand their concerns, preferences, and goals, enabling them to provide appropriate support.

4. Patience: Dealing with diverse populations requires patience, as individuals may have different abilities, communication styles, or challenges. Being patient allows for a supportive and non-judgmental approach.

5. Flexibility: Community Support Workers often encounter changing circumstances and unexpected challenges. Being flexible enables them to adapt their approaches and support strategies accordingly.

6. Problem-Solving: The ability to identify problems, analyze situations, and develop effective solutions is crucial for Community Support Workers to address individual needs and overcome obstacles.

7. Time Management: Effectively managing time and prioritizing tasks ensures that Community Support Workers can provide adequate support to multiple individuals while meeting deadlines and maintaining documentation.

8. Teamwork: Collaboration with colleagues, supervisors, and other professionals is common in community support work. Strong teamwork skills contribute to a cohesive and supportive working environment.

9. Cultural Competence: Recognizing and respecting cultural diversity is essential for providing inclusive and culturally appropriate support. Cultural competence promotes effective communication and understanding.

10. Professional Boundaries: Maintaining professional boundaries helps Community Support Workers establish appropriate relationships with individuals, ensuring ethical practices and safeguarding their well-being.

Conclusion

A Community Support Worker plays a vital role in assisting individuals within their community to enhance their quality of life and well-being. They fulfill a wide range of responsibilities, including providing personalized support, advocacy, and coordination of resources. To excel in this field, Community Support Workers require a combination of hard skills, such as knowledge of social services and crisis intervention techniques, as well as essential soft skills, including empathy, communication, and problem-solving abilities. By possessing these skills, Community Support Workers can make a significant impact in supporting individuals and fostering stronger and more resilient communities.