Developmental Services Worker
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Program Overview
The Developmental Service Worker program is a two-year Ontario college diploma for students interested in having a direct impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities. You will become a highly skilled practitioner able to deliver person-directed support through courses that promote mental and physical health, develop interpersonal and interprofessional skills and foster independence and positive behaviour supports. New graduates are employed as direct supports professionals or educational assistants.
Program Details
Program Code
DSW1
Credential:
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
60 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 January
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
2026 May
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
2026 May
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
2025 January
London
Closed
2025 May
London
Closed
Your Learning Experience
If you believe that having a positive and direct impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities is a career worth pursuing, then the Developmental Services Worker (DSW) program is designed for you.
Students will become highly skilled and reflective practitioners while 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.
With nearly 700 hours of field experience with community agencies and school partners, you’ll gain the first-hand experience and confidence necessary for success as a developmental support worker.
You'll also have the opportunity to transfer credits for further education at universities such as Ryerson, Windsor, Calgary and Western.
High Demand DSW jobs
Fanshawe DSW program graduates are in high demand. The majority of grads - if not all - find fulfilling employment within 6 months as direct support professionals, case managers/service coordinators or as educational assistants at a school board.
The Developmental Services Worker two-year diploma program prepares its graduates to be specialists in supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities. Inherent to the role of a DSW is the ability to collaborate and build relationships with people with developmental disabilities and their families and to work with colleagues and members of inter-professional teams to facilitate a seamless network of support for people.
Courses focus on disabilities, person-directed supports, inclusion and community resources, dual diagnosis, interpersonal skills, counselling, health, pharmacology, development, teaching and intervention strategies.
Field placements in community agencies and/or schools are part of the curriculum. Students on field placement are required to work evening shifts and cover any costs associated with preparation for fieldwork.
Graduates from this program wanting to transfer to another Community Studies program at Fanshawe College, may qualify for some internal credits that have already been achieved.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Development Services Worker program will be employed within community-based agencies and board of education to support persons with developmental disabilities by promoting life skills, education, employment and leisure support. Graduates are also trained in counselling, advocacy, health and pharmacology.
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 Development Services Worker program:
Developmental Service Worker
Provide a high quality of service and support to people with developmental disabilities by striving to promote and facilitate community inclusion, meaningful participation and full citizenship.
Service Navigator
Work with individuals, their families and community agencies to address the needs of adults living with a developmental disability and/or seeking developmental services to address a diagnosis.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to
- Conduct oneself in an ethical*, competent* and accountable* manner in all professional relationships.
- Provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities
- Provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice*.
- Support health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities.
- Employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with intellectual disabilities.
- Provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities*
- Develop professional and personal plans that enhance job performance and well-being.
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Karen Klee
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent,
or a
mature applicant with the following course
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
Students who do not meet the admission requirements are
recommended for academic
upgrading. A conditional offer may be possible with proof of
enrolment. Alternatively, applicants may choose to do the one-year
Human Services Foundation preparatory program to meet all the
admission requirements for this program.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
| 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 |
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Any Grade 12 Mathematics (C) or (U)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (C) or (U)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Chemistry (C) or (U)
- Grade 11 Raising Healthy Children (O)
- Grade 11 Working with Infants and Young Children (C)
- Grade 12 Challenge and Change in Society (U)
- Grade 12 Families in Canada (C) or (U)
- Grade 12 Human Development Throughout the Lifespan (M)
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
- Students should develop personal responsibility and leadership traits by participating in school and social organizations which are concerned with helping people
- Work or volunteer experience in this field is important
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Note:
- Admission to the Fanshawe College Human Services Foundation program does not guarantee admission in a subsequent year to the Developmental Services Worker program. Successful completion of the Fanshawe College Human Services Foundation program, however, does enable the student to be given additional consideration when applying to the Developmental Services Worker program. The Human Services Foundation program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to the Developmental Services Worker program.
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
The following items are applicable to the program and are time sensitive. Please refer to www.fanshawec.ca/preplacement for important information about preparing for placement by the due date.
- Possession of a Standard First Aid course certificate (either St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross or equivalent) and a Basic Rescuer course certificate (Level "C" CPR)
- Evidence of Good Health
- Police Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening, including a check of the Pardoned Sexual Offenders Database
- Mandatory Placement Assessment for WRIT Course
- Guide to Completing your Professional Practice Requirements
- Pre-Placement Process
- Year 2: Professional Practice Health Form
- Placement Agreement
For all programs requiring the submission of pre-placement forms, please submit all supplemental forms (with the exception of transcripts) by email to regforms@fanshawec.ca.
The deadline for submission of these forms for the DSW1 program is August 1 for first year Fall term students and December 1 for first year Winter term students.
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| WRIT-1094 | Reason & Writing 1 for Community Studies | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce Community Studies students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
| DEVL-1055 | Professionalism 1 | 2 | ||
| This course introduces Developmental Services Worker students to competencies and skills essential to understanding their role in their professional practice. The student will be able to describe the professional values and ethics of the Developmental Services Worker profession and how their own values and ethics align with the profession. Students will formulate their own personal and professional goals for on-going growth of their skills and competence. | ||||
| 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. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London
Toronto
*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.