SSSW_ SCCS1: Cultural Competency in Social Services
Categories: Social Services Support Worker (Professional)
About Course
Cultural Competency in Social Services is a foundational course designed to prepare students for diverse and inclusive work environments within Canada’s social services sector.
The course explores key topics such as cultural awareness, effective communication across diverse populations, anti-oppressive practices, and understanding systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities.
Students will develop critical skills in empathy, cross-cultural dialogue, and adaptability, alongside knowledge of relevant policies and frameworks such as Truth and Reconciliation initiatives.
By emphasizing real-world applications, including case studies and role-playing scenarios, the course equips students to work effectively in entry-level roles such as caseworkers, support coordinators, or community outreach specialists, meeting the growing demand for culturally responsive service professionals.
What Will You Learn?
- Analyze the impact of cultural values, beliefs, and systemic barriers on diverse populations' access to social services.
- Apply effective communication strategies to engage respectfully and empathetically with individuals from varied cultural backgrounds.
- Evaluate real-world case studies to identify biases and propose anti-oppressive solutions in social service delivery.
- Create culturally sensitive service plans that address the unique needs of marginalized communities while aligning with Canadian policies and frameworks.
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in cross-cultural teams, reflecting a commitment to inclusion and equity in professional practice.
Course Content
Topic 1 – Introduction to Cultural Competency
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Topic 1: Introduction
03:01 -
LO1: Understand the Importance of Cultural Competency in Social Services
13:32 -
LO2: Explore the Impact of Cultural Values, Beliefs, and Systemic Barriers on Access to Social Services
16:52 -
LO3: Discuss the Role of Social Workers in Creating Inclusive and Equitable Practices
Topic 2 – Cultural Values and Beliefs
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Topic 2: Introduction
03:08 -
LO1: Analyze the Role of Cultural Values and Beliefs in Shaping Individuals’ Interactions With Social Services
13:28 -
LO2: Understand How Cultural Norms Influence Social Service Delivery and Decision-Making
10:51 -
LO3: Learn About Cultural Humility and Its Role in Promoting Respectful Interactions
09:55
Topic 3 – Systemic Barriers and Access to Services
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Topic 3: Introduction
04:12 -
LO1: Examine Systemic Barriers that Prevent Diverse Populations From Accessing Social Services
12:45 -
LO2: Identify Challenges Related to Race, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Other forms of Discrimination
12:46 -
LO3: Learn About Canadian Policies Aimed at Addressing Systemic Inequities In Social Service Access
12:13
Topic 4 – Cultural Sensitivity in Social Services
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Topic 4: Introduction
03:22 -
LO1: Understand the Concept of Cultural Sensitivity in Social Service Delivery
15:56 -
LO2: Learn How to Recognize and Address Cultural Differences that May Affect the Provision of Services
14:36 -
LO3: Develop Strategies for Respecting Cultural Diversity While Providing Services
07:33
Topic 5 – Effective Communication With Diverse Populations
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Topic 5: Introduction
03:21 -
LO1: Learn Effective Communication Strategies for Engaging With Individuals From Diverse Cultural Backgrounds
13:26 -
LO2: Explore Active Listening, Empathy, and Non-Verbal Communication Techniques
09:30 -
LO3: Discuss the Challenges and Opportunities of Working With Culturally Diverse Clients
08:19
Topic 6 – Anti-Oppressive Practice in Social Services
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Topic 6: Introduction
03:18 -
LO1: Understand the Principles of Anti-Oppressive Practice and Its Importance in Social Work
15:51 -
LO2: Learn About Power Dynamics and How they Impact Service Delivery for Marginalized Populations
11:00 -
LO3: Apply Anti-Oppressive Frameworks to Real-World Social Service Challenges
09:51
Assessment I
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Quiz I
Topic 7 – Identifying Bias in Social Service Delivery & Assignment
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Topic 7: Introduction
03:21 -
LO1: Learn How to Identify Personal and Systemic Biases in Social Service Delivery
19:15 -
LO2: Understand the Effects of Unconscious Bias On Decision-Making and Client Outcomes
14:25 -
LO3: Develop Strategies for Addressing and Challenging Biases in Social Services
10:42
Topic 8 – Case Studies in Social Services
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Topic 8: Introduction
02:58 -
LO1: Analyze Real-World Case Studies to Understand the Impact of Cultural and Systemic Barriers On Clients
10:38 -
LO2: Identify Potential Biases in Case Handling and Propose Anti-Oppressive Solutions
12:26 -
LO3: Discuss the Role of Critical Thinking in Addressing Complex Cultural and Systemic Issues in Case Management
09:30
Topic 9 – Culturally Sensitive Service Plans
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Topic 9: Introduction
03:00 -
LO1: Learn How to Develop Culturally Sensitive Service Plans for Clients From Diverse Backgrounds
10:50 -
LO2: Understand How to Tailor Services to Meet the Unique Needs of Marginalized Communities
09:18 -
LO3: Apply Canadian Policies and Frameworks to Ensure Culturally Competent Service Delivery
08:45
Topic 10 – Ethical Considerations in Cross-Cultural Practice
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Topic 10: Introduction
03:17 -
LO1: Examine Ethical Challenges in Working With Diverse Populations
11:59 -
LO2: Understand the Role of Cultural Ethics in Guiding Social Service Practice
15:07 -
LO3: Develop Strategies for Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Cross-Cultural Social Work Contexts
18:29
Topic 11 – Working With Indigenous Communities
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Topic 11: Introduction
03:32 -
LO1: Learn About the Unique Cultural and Historical Factors Affecting Indigenous Communities in Canada
16:31 -
LO2: Understand the Challenges Indigenous Peoples Face in Accessing Social Services
08:56 -
LO3: Explore Ways to Engage With Indigenous Communities Respectfully and Meaningfully in Social Service Delivery
16:08
Topic 12 – Collaborating With Culturally Diverse Teams
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Topic 12: Introduction
03:15 -
LO1: Learn How to Collaborate Effectively With Cross-Cultural Teams in Social Service Settings
11:30 -
LO2: Understand the Importance of Inclusion and Equity in Team-Based Practices
13:22 -
LO3: Develop Strategies to Manage Cultural Differences and Enhance Team Dynamics
13:00
Assessment II
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Quiz II
Topic 13 – Intersectionality in Social Work Practice
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Topic 13: Introduction
03:24 -
LO1: Understand the Concept of Intersectionality and How It Impacts Social Service Delivery
10:21 -
LO2: Learn How Race, Gender, Class, Ability, and Other Social Identities Intersect to Create Unique Experiences of Oppression
13:10 -
LO3: Apply Intersectional Approaches to Case Assessments and Service Planning
10:46
Topic 14 – Barriers to Effective Collaboration & Assignment
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Topic 14: Introduction
03:18 -
LO1: Identify Common Barriers to Effective Collaboration in Cross-Cultural Teams
10:06 -
LO2: Learn Strategies to Overcome these Barriers and Build Inclusive, Effective Teams
11:42 -
LO3: Discuss the Role of Cultural Competence in Fostering Successful Teamwork
12:02
Topic 15 – Community-Based Culturally Competent Practices
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Topic 15: Introduction
03:24 -
LO1: Learn How to Implement Community-Based Practices that Are Culturally Competent
12:41 -
LO2: Explore Community Outreach Strategies to Ensure Services Are Accessible and Effective for Diverse Populations
09:36 -
LO3: Discuss the Importance of Community Engagement and Partnership in Delivering Inclusive Social Services
10:50
Topic 16 – Social Justice and Cultural Competency
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Topic 16: Introduction
03:17 -
LO1: Understand the Relationship Between Social Justice and Cultural Competency in Social Services
11:00 -
LO2: Learn How to Advocate for Policy Changes that Promote Inclusion and Equity in Social Services
15:09 -
LO3: Discuss How Social Justice Principles Should Inform Cultural Competency Practices
12:23
Topic 17 – Creating Inclusive Workplaces
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Topic 17: Introduction
03:22 -
LO1: Learn Strategies to Create Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Workplaces Within Social Services
10:39 -
LO2: Explore Policies and Practices that Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Social Service Organizations
12:48 -
LO3: Develop a Plan for Fostering a Culture of Inclusion and Respect Within a Social Service Agency
10:15
Topic 18 – Assessing Cultural Competency in Social Services
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Topic 18: Introduction
03:28 -
LO1: Understand the Tools and Frameworks Used to Assess Cultural Competency in Social Service Organizations
12:04 -
LO2: Learn How to Conduct a Cultural Competency Audit to Identify Areas for Improvement
08:48 -
LO3: Develop an Action Plan to Enhance Cultural Competency Within A Social Service Agency
14:02
Topic 19 – Evaluating and Improving Service Delivery
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Topic 19: Introduction
03:12 -
LO1: Learn Methods for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Culturally Sensitive Service Delivery
09:35 -
LO2: Discuss Strategies for Improving Social Service Practices to Be More Inclusive and Equitable
10:16 -
LO3: Apply Evaluation Findings to Enhance Client Outcomes in Diverse Populations
11:08
Topic 20 – Final Exam Review
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Topic 20: Introduction
03:25 -
LO1: Review the Key Concepts of Cultural Competency, Anti-Oppressive Practice, and Systemic Barriers in Social Services
12:31 -
LO2: Discuss Strategies for Addressing Cultural and Systemic Challenges in Social Service Delivery
10:36 -
LO3: Prepare for the Final Exam By Summarizing the Core Principles Learned Throughout the Course
07:13
Final Exam
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Final Exam
