Developmental Services Worker
Support people of all ages to function better in their day-to-day lives with this truly rewarding career.
- Graduate Placement Reports show graduates enjoy a high employment rate within six months of graduation, and many are offered work in the field before completion of the program
- Students have opportunities for hands-on experience in a wide variety of placement settings in four locations working with people of all ages in developmental services
- This program has strong partnerships in the community and hosts an annual job fair to allow students to network with employers and apply for employment opportunities
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Open
Closed
Waitlisted
Start Term
Availability
International
Availability
Competitive?
Spring 2025
No
Fall 2025
No
Schedule
Program Summary
Credential
Program Delivery
Program Code
Area of Interest
School
Campus
Work Integrated Learning
This two-year Developmental Services Worker Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to support children, youth and adults with physical, mental and/or developmental disabilities, through their activities of daily living, behaviour support, personal care and special education. You facilitate the development of skills for people with disabilities to enjoy independence, citizenship and social living.
As a student, you learn strategies for providing support in ways that are respectful of the dignity and individuality of each person with whom you work....(read more)
Overview
Support people of all ages to function better in their day-to-day lives with this truly rewarding career.
This two-year Developmental Services Worker Ontario College Diploma program prepares you to support children, youth and adults with physical, mental and/or developmental disabilities, through their activities of daily living, behaviour support, personal care and special education. You facilitate the development of skills for people with disabilities to enjoy independence, citizenship and social living.
As a student, you learn strategies for providing support in ways that are respectful of the dignity and individuality of each person with whom you work.
The Developmental Services Worker program uses both experiential and outcome-based theory to help you prepare to work in a variety of educational, community and social service settings.
During your program of study, you apply theory and skills in various field placements, with opportunities to experience work as an Educational Assistant and Community Support/Residential Counsellor. Field placements allow you to explore concepts from a hands-on point of view and are an important learning tool to prepare you for your profession. Throughout the program, you complete a series of field placements, totaling close to 600 hours of work experience.
You may find work in a variety of roles after graduation, including:
- educational assistant
- developmental assistant
- special needs worker
- residential counsellor
- employment specialist
- life skills instructor
- vocational instructor
- family support worker
- support network facilitator
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Are passionate about supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Want to work in challenging environments which are physically demanding.
- Have fine motor skills required for writing and administering medications.
- Are advocates for social justice.
- Show integrity, are honest and trustworthy.
- Display a positive attitude.
Courses
Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.
Code:
ENL1813S
Course Name:
Communications 1
Course Description:
Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-orient... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM0067
Course Name:
Promoting Health and Wellness
Course Description:
With good health, people have the freedom to work, learn and engage actively with friends, families and the community. Students develop an u... + Read More
Hours:
28.0
Code:
FAM0068
Course Name:
Person Centered Approach
Course Description:
A person-centered approach puts persons with developmental disabilities at the center of all decision making. This course combines theory an... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM0069
Course Name:
Essential Supports for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Course Description:
Persons with developmental disabilities require a wide range of supports. Students are introduced to the basic principles surrounding the de... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM1137
Course Name:
Paraprofessionals in Education
Course Description:
Paraprofessionals are an essential component of successful education for students with exceptionalities. Students are introduced to the exce... + Read More
Hours:
28.0
Code:
FAM1264
Course Name:
Introduction to the Field of Developmental Services
Course Description:
A career as a Developmental Services Worker can be a rewarding profession with many job opportunities working to support individuals with di... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
ENL1880F
Course Name:
Professional Communication for Developmental Services Workers
Course Description:
Developmental Service Workers complete documentation such as incident reports and daily logs, which have a permanent place in an individual'... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM1169
Course Name:
Community Field Placement
Course Description:
Field placement experiences are critical when entering human services, as they allow students to explore concepts, such as inclusion, empowe... + Read More
Hours:
161.0
Code:
FAM1262
Course Name:
Current Topics in the Field of Developmental Services
Course Description:
The field of developmental services is complex and dynamic, and offers many challenges for those working in the profession. Students examine... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM1265
Course Name:
Pharmacology I
Course Description:
Developmental Services Workers are responsible for ensuring safe administration of medication. Students gain important knowledge of principl... + Read More
Hours:
28.0
Code:
FAM1279
Course Name:
Exploring Developmental Disabilities
Course Description:
The field of developmental services is in constant change. Understanding its history is critical to working as a Developmental Services Work... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM1284
Course Name:
Human Physiology and Health
Course Description:
Understanding how the human body functions is essential when supporting the health and well-being of persons with disabilities. Students dev... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM1182
Course Name:
Sexuality, Relationships and Persons with Disabilities
Course Description:
Understanding and expressing human sexuality and relationships are essential for growth and reaching of full potential for persons with deve... + Read More
Hours:
28.0
Code:
FAM1287
Course Name:
Families and Aging in Developmental Services
Course Description:
An empathetic approach when working with families with children and adults with developmental disabilities, and or aging individuals, is fou... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM1903
Course Name:
Educational Support Field Placement (School Group)
Course Description:
Field placement allows students to demonstrate the integration of theory and practice. Building upon previous field placement experiences, s... + Read More
Hours:
254.0
Code:
FAM1915
Course Name:
Mental Health and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (School Group)
Course Description:
People are considered to have a dual diagnosis when they experience both a developmental disability and a mental illness. Developmental Serv... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM0070
Course Name:
Learning and Behaviour Support (Community Group)
Course Description:
Positive behaviour support is a person-centered approach to supporting people to develop skills that enhance their quality of life. Students... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM0089
Course Name:
Community and Developmental Services Skills and Placement (Community Group)
Course Description:
Field placements are critical in order to prepare for a future career in developmental services. Students are provided with the opportunity ... + Read More
Hours:
240.0
Code:
FAM1293
Course Name:
Pharmacology 2 (Community Group)
Course Description:
Safe administration of medication requires an understanding of safe practices, as well as how drugs work and affect the human body. Students... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
GED0436
Course Name:
General Education Elective
Course Description:
Students choose one course, from a group of general education electives, which meets one of the following five theme requirements: Arts in S... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM0071
Course Name:
Employment and the Field of Developmental Disabilities
Course Description:
Supporting persons with developmental disabilities in their transition from school to workplace requires a specific set of skills. This cour... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM1190
Course Name:
Ethical Issues and Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Course Description:
Developmental Services Workers encounter ethical issues when providing support to people with developmental disabilities. Students consider ... + Read More
Hours:
28.0
Code:
FAM1903
Course Name:
Educational Support Field Placement (School Group)
Course Description:
Field placement allows students to demonstrate the integration of theory and practice. Building upon previous field placement experiences, s... + Read More
Hours:
254.0
Code:
FAM1915
Course Name:
Mental Health and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (School Group)
Course Description:
People are considered to have a dual diagnosis when they experience both a developmental disability and a mental illness. Developmental Serv... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM0070
Course Name:
Learning and Behaviour Support (Community Group)
Course Description:
Positive behaviour support is a person-centered approach to supporting people to develop skills that enhance their quality of life. Students... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
FAM0089
Course Name:
Community and Developmental Services Skills and Placement (Community Group)
Course Description:
Field placements are critical in order to prepare for a future career in developmental services. Students are provided with the opportunity ... + Read More
Hours:
240.0
Code:
FAM1293
Course Name:
Pharmacology 2 (Community Group)
Course Description:
Safe administration of medication requires an understanding of safe practices, as well as how drugs work and affect the human body. Students... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Code:
GED0436
Course Name:
General Education Elective
Course Description:
Students choose one course, from a group of general education electives, which meets one of the following five theme requirements: Arts in S... + Read More
Hours:
42.0
Careers & Pathways
Careers
More than 90% of graduates from this program are employed within six months of graduating.
You may find work in a variety of roles after graduation, including:
- educational assistant
- developmental assistant
- special needs worker
- residential counsellor
- employment specialist
- life skills instructor
- vocational instructor
- family support worker
- support network facilitator
Pathways
Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.
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 developmental disabilities.
- Provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities.
- Develop professional and personal plans that enhance job performance and well-being.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.
2024/2025 Academic Year
Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.
Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.
Fees are subject to change.
Additional program related expenses include:
Supplies, such as field placement documentation, class materials, computer hardware and software may cost approximately $2,200 in the first year and $600 in the second year.
Admissions Requirements
All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.
College Eligibility
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
- Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
- General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
- Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee will be charged.
Program Eligibility
- English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent) with a grade of 65% or higher.
- Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
Not sure if you meet all of the requirements? Academic Upgrading may be able to help with that: https://www.algonquincollege.com/access/.
Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.
Health Requirements:
The physical and emotional health of each applicant to the program must be such that he or she can successfully cope with the program of instruction including the demands of field placement (e.g. stress and time management; physical care and self-help skills of children and adults). Individuals who have concerns about their ability to meet these requirements should contact the coordinator of the program prior to submitting an application.
Police Records Check Documentation:
Though not an admission requirement, applicants must note important information listed below regarding Police Records Check program requirements.
Students must provide the College with a current Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS) prior to the deadline identified by the department and students are responsible for any associated costs. If this documentation is not submitted on time, students may not be placed and registration in the program will be jeopardized. If you register in the program without a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate and will be asked to withdraw.
Field Placement Eligibility:
To be eligible for placement, you must submit proof of Standard First Aid certification, CPR level C, Quality Assurance Measures Certification, Worker Safety Standard Certification, PRCSVS and complete immunizations through ParaMed. ParaMed services are the third-party provider who collects all field placement documentation for the Community Studies department. Students should plan for extra costs associated with these requirements. For further information concerning costs and documentation submission please go to https://www.algonquincollege.com/healthandcommunity/files/2013/06/Field-Placement-Info.
Application Information
DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES WORKER
Program Code 0436A01FWO
Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:
ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228
Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.
Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.
For further information on the admissions process, contact:
Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro
Additional Information
Program Resources
The Developmental Services Worker program consists of courses that are delivered in a variety of formats including face-to-face, hybrid (combination of classroom and online learning), and fully online. Students participate in all three types of learning. Students also participate in laboratory and field placement learning activities. Mandatory field placements may be scheduled outside of regular class hours. Class schedules vary from term to term and courses may be scheduled between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Some field placements require the student to be available for evening or weekend shifts.
Although part-time study is not available, customized delivery of program components may be arranged.
Students may apply for transfer of academic credits from Algonquin College (internal transfer) or from other institutions (external transfer). College Policies AA09 and AA10 apply to transfer of credits. For more information visit: www.algonquincollege.com/directives. Students may apply for credit by challenging courses using Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). College Policy AA06 applies to PLAR. Students pay a fee for each course they wish to be exempt from. Through either a portfolio or challenge examination, a PLAR may lead to the acceptance of work and life experience in lieu of taking certain courses. For more information visit: https://www.algonquincollege.com/plar.
Being a Developmental Services Worker is a physically demanding profession. Students entering this program must be able to lift and transfer children and adults in and out of wheelchairs and/or beds. As well, students must be able to move quickly between areas within indoor and outdoor environments in order to ensure individual`s safety. Students should be able to make accurate observations of behaviour, abilities and skills to provide optimal support of individuals supported. Entering the program without these abilities may result in unsuccessful field placements, and students who fail to successfully complete field placements are not eligible to graduate from the program.
ACADEMIC PROBATION:
Students who have two or more F grades in a given term or whose term grade point average falls below 1.7 are considered to be on academic probation (Policy AA14 Grading System). This requires the student to meet with their academic advisor or program coordinator to sign a learning contract which identifies the conditions which must be met in order to continue in the program. Students who do not meet the terms of their learning contract are withdrawn from the program.
Contact
Jennifer Liberty
Program Coordinator
Room B202
As a graduate of the Algonquin College DSW program, Jennifer Liberty continued her education by completing the Disability Studies Bachelor of Arts program at Toronto Metropolitan University. Here, she discovered her love of research and wrote a qualitative paper on the hiring policies of local agencies supporting people with disabilities and the effects on service provision. She completed her Master’s Degree in Disability Studies at the University of Newcastle in Australia where her research focused on program management and best practices. While completing her education, she worked in numerous, different positions within the developmental services sector: front line staff in residential and day programs, respite and nursing homes; a camp counsellor, special needs driver and aid within family homes. She also worked with the de-institutionalization movement and supported individuals in moving back into the community.
Rodney Walsh
Professor
Room B212d
Rodney started his Developmental Services Worker career in 1992 working in many different aspects of developmental services such as residential settings, educational environments and advisory committees. He has held positions such as a front line residential counsellor, an educational assistant (in community living classrooms, special support units, and behaviour programming), and as an advisor/workshop facilitator for organizations working with people with disabilities. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Disability Studies Program, Rodney had the opportunity to research the area of disability sport through a social model of disability theory. His current focus is on post-secondary student retention strategies for first-generation students. Rodney has a Master’s in Education from the University of Ottawa and is a former member of Therapeutic Educational Services Corporation’s (TELCI) Board of Directors.
Kristen Hayes
Professor
Room B202
If you ask Kristen about how she feels about education she will tell you to “get on the train, leave your baggage behind, and enjoy the ride.” She is passionate about education and has been recognized by the College’s Student Association for excellence in teaching and commitment to student learning. A graduate from the University of Western Ontario with a PhD in Neurophysiology, Kristen is dedicated to instilling enthusiasm in her students for subjects historically considered difficult such as Physiology and Pharmacology, and encouraging students to master subjects beyond the material covered in class. Kristen refined her teaching skills over many years, beginning in the field of outdoor education where she guided wilderness canoe trips in Canada’s high arctic. She used her experience to teach other outdoor enthusiasts skills as whitewater canoeing, river rescue, navigation, first aid and CPR and uses these experiences to make her classes unique. Kristen was also recognized professionally through a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development teaching award from the University of Texas for her work in collaborative education.
Laura Rogal-Black
Professor
Room B371
Before joining the DSW Faculty Team, Laura completed degrees in psychology at St. Francis Xavier University, and Queen’s University, and a research fellowship at Queen’s University at Belfast. She conducted research in early development, including studies of the relation between parenting style and preschool attachment, the effects of sound on prematurely born infants in a neonatal intensive care unit, and auditory learning and voice discrimination of fetuses with and without identified congenital anomalies.
Virginia Hartley
Professor
Room B202
Virginia Hartley has been working in the field of developmental services for the last 12 years in a variety of areas from residential day program relief worker, to educational assistant. Virginia obtained her Bachelor of Liberal Arts, from Waterloo University and holds a Developmental Services Worker (DSW) diploma. She works and teaches in the DSW field. She has been a faculty member with Algonquin College for the last ten years teaching a number of courses and was nominated for a teaching award, and was a recipient of the Student’s Services Award. She has complemented her teaching with the practical application of DSW skills with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) for over ten years. Through her time with the OCDSB, she has supported individuals with developmental disabilities and learning disabilities to develop skills that will increase independence and promote inclusion. Prior to working in the DSW field, Virginia had a variety of other experiences including working as a 911 dispatcher in the Emergency Medical and Police Services for 18 years. In this role she received an award of excellence from the Minister of Health for a particular call, the recording of which has subsequently been used for training purposes in this field.