Settlement Worker

Registration in a program is done on a course-by-course basis each term. The expected availability of courses is displayed below but may change throughout the year. Click on the arrows below to confirm upcoming course offerings and to add a course to your online shopping cart. For assistance, please use the inquiry form on this page or call 519-452-4277.

Overview

Program Description

Settlement Workers assist newcomers (immigrants and refugees) to settle into their communities and schools by assisting and providing direct, front-line services of support, information, referrals, advocacy, and orientation for families through the process of Settlement. Many of these families need assistance with housing, employment, legal assistance, clothing and food, language translation or cultural interpretation and social integration as well as education. There is limited available training to people in this field and agencies respond by doing in house training of their staff.

Settlement Workers are employed in a variety of employment sectors, including: government, community agencies, libraries, churches and other religious organizations, and schools.

Courses

Program Requirements

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses
		Expected Availability
	Credits	Fall	Winter	Summer
Foundations of Settlement WorkersHUMA-1016	3	No	Yes	No View More Details about HUMA-1016
This course will provide an overview of the role of the Settlement Worker and their full scope of practice. Students will explore various philosophies, approaches, and roles of settlement workers. Role boundaries, confidentiality, privacy, and an overview of the legal framework surrounding newcomers and settlement workers will also be delivered. Participants of this course will discuss the importance of maintaining cultural sensitivity, while studying and applying cultural competency to their work and daily lives. In addition, case management will also be introduced, along with conflict resolution strategies, relationship building, and the expectations of the Settlement Worker.
Advocacy & ProfessionalismHUMA-1017	2	Yes	No	No View More Details about HUMA-1017
Settlement Workers need to advocate for the newcomers/immigrants to ensure their integration into their communities is successful. In this course the learner will participate in learning activities that demonstrate effective methods of advocating, ways to improve independence in their clients, how to mobilize/network for a resolution, protecting their clients from the media/exploitation and community building.
Family/Individual Support ServicesHUMA-1018	3	No	No	Yes View More Details about HUMA-1018
This course will focus on the supports that are available to newcomers, and demonstrate to students how they will be able to work with their clients effectively in order to best navigate these services. Topics include; youth in Settlement, role of family dynamics/gender in immigrants, family Settlement planning, adaptations in becoming a Canadian family, and preparing a needs assessment for clients.
Case Management & Settlement CounsellingHUMA-1019	2	No	Yes	No View More Details about HUMA-1019
This course will introduce learners to the basic foundational counselling skills that recognize and encourage the diverse and multicultural milieu of the immigrant clients they will serve. The student will have the opportunity to learn and practice basic interview and introductory counselling skills that are required for developing effective and professional relationships with newcomers. In this course the learner will discuss case management and various counselling theories and techniques. Through discussions, coursework, and lectures, students will understand the importance of person and family centered approaches to counselling for Newcomers. Settlement counselling will be discussed, as will an overview of individual and family counselling and employment counselling.
Family/Individual Finances for NewcomersFINA-1043	2	Yes	No	No View More Details about FINA-1043
This course will provide students with an understanding of the unique financial needs that newcomers may have when first arriving to Canada. Students will learn how to guide their clients through everyday banking needs such as different accounts available to bank customers, loans, insurance, and investments/savings. Through discussions and case studies, students will participate in creating budgets and long-term plans, and build an understanding of the rights and responsibilities associated with finances, consumer protection, and available sources of funding.
Interviewing for Settlement WorkerDEVL-1037	3	No	No	Yes View More Details about DEVL-1037
Students will develop the necessary interviewing skills required to obtain information from clients to assist with: program intake, establishing professional relationship, and rapport building. Differentiating between questioning techniques such as open vs. closed ended questions, and when to use these techniques will be examined. Other topics covered include non-verbal communication, and managing client expectations.
Safety & Life Skills for NewcomersSFTY-1045	3	No	No	Yes View More Details about SFTY-1045
This course focuses on the integration of Newcomers into the Canadian way of life. Through discussions and group work the following topics will be addressed; driving, safety in the home, weather and seasons, neighbourhood safety, internet safety, emergency services, food safety, and transportation systems.
Canadian Law, Culture & IntegrationLAWS-1053	3	Yes	No	No View More Details about LAWS-1053
This course is designed to introduce learners to the fundamental concepts of Canadian Law and the countries legal systems. Students will learn various citizen rights and responsibilities, the importance of social and political participation, and elections. In addition, determining how laws are defined, created, implemented, and enforced will be examined. Canadian culture will also be addressed, along with how Settlement Workers can assist newcomers to integrate into the Canadian culture while still maintaining their own individual cultural heritage. Topics of religion will also be discussed in this course.
Health & Well-BeingHLTH-1160	3	No	Yes	No View More Details about HLTH-1160
In this course, students will study the various approaches to maintaining optimal health. Topics include traditional and western approaches to wellbeing, as well as how to nourish the body through eating a balanced diet, and how newcomers can develop and sustain a healthy lifestyle. Canadian health care including dental health, public health issues, addictions and prevention, and mental health will also be discussed.

Program Residency
Students must complete a minimum of 6 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program.

More Information

Learning outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Support newcomers in creating a foundation that allows them to gain an understanding of Canadian society and culture, and fosters a sense of affinity/belonging in the greater community
Practice ethical and professional behaviour in all aspects of work while empowering newcomer clients to advocate for the supports, resources, and services they require for the assimilation process
Evaluate strengths and identify needs of client in order to complete intake assessments, goal setting plans, and needs assessments, while maintaining an individual/family centered approach in the settlement of the newcomer
Prepare materials in order to educate individuals, families, and groups regarding pertinent issues through the dissemination of relevant research, knowledge exchange, and via formal/informal education so clients may make informed, independent decisions.
Assess relevant legislation on immigration and citizenship policies while identifying cultural norms and challenges with newcomer integration to determine their impact on settlement services for clients
Integrate skills and knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques from a range of contexts and frameworks to provide non-biased services to newcomers and those from varied and diverse populations
Identify and actively contribute to/ participate in relevant organizations, groups, and networks that encourage the development and improvement of newcomer welfare and newcomer integration in Canadian society
Employ collaborative skills within inter-professional and multi-disciplinary teams to provide comprehensive, ethical, timely, and coordinated newcomer services