National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

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National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
Introduction
Hierarchical structure

4 - Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

This broad category comprises managers in public administration, in education and social and community services and in public protection services, as well as occupations concerned with teaching, law, counselling, conducting social science research, developing government policy, and administering government and other programs, and related support occupations.

42 - Front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services

This major group comprises front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 2. Occupations classified in TEER 2, as those included in this group with a 2 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or completion of an apprenticeship training program of two to five years; or supervisory or significant safety responsibilities; or the accumulation of several years of experience in a related occupation found in TEER 3, when applicable (TEER 3 includes occupations with a 3 as a second digit in their code).

422 - Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services

This sub-major group comprises paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services, including paralegals and related occupations; social and community service workers; early childhood educators and assistants; instructors of persons with disabilities; and religion workers.

4220 - Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services

This minor group comprises paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services, including paralegals and related occupations; social and community service workers; early childhood educators and assistants; instructors of persons with disabilities; and religion workers. They are employed by government, and government agencies; law firms, legal departments, and trademark development and record search companies; social service and mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, and substance abuse centres; schools and school boards; correctional facilities, and prisons; child-care centres, daycare centres, kindergartens, and agencies for exceptional children; rehabilitation centres, and specialized educational institutes; driving schools, fabric retailers, and other commercial establishments; churches, synagogues, temples, and other places of worship; and hospitals; or they may be self-employed.

42201 - Social and community service workers

Social and community service workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. They are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centres, school boards, correctional facilities and other establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • Aboriginal outreach worker
    • addictions worker
    • child and youth worker
    • community development worker
    • community service worker
    • crisis intervention worker
    • developmental service worker
    • drop-in centre worker
    • family service worker
    • group home worker
    • income maintenance officer - social services
    • life skills instructor
    • mental health worker
    • rehabilitation worker - social services
    • social services worker
    • veteran services officer
    • welfare and compensation officer
    • women's shelter supervisor
    • youth worker

    All examples

  • Inclusion(s)

    • residential counsellor - group home

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Activities leader - seniors (See 54100 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness)
    • Educational counsellors (See 41320 Educational counsellors)
    • Instructors of persons with disabilities (See 42203 Instructors of persons with disabilities)
    • Managers in social, community and correctional services (See 40030 Managers in social, community and correctional services)
    • Social workers (See 41300 Social workers)
    • Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (See 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies)

  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Review client background information, interview clients to obtain case history and prepare intake reports
    • Assess clients' relevant skill strengths and needs
    • Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
    • Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits
    • Refer clients to other social services or assist clients in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, day care and other services
    • Counsel clients living in group homes and halfway houses, supervise their activities and assist in pre-release and release planning
    • Participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs
    • Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social services or health care professionals
    • Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems
    • Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions
    • Advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions
    • Provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
    • Implement and organize the delivery of specific services within the community
    • Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
    • Mobilise and coordinate volunteer resources and activities for a range of organizations such as human service agencies, health care facilities, arts and sports centres, etc.
    • May maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research
    • May supervise social service support workers and volunteers.

  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline is usually required.
    • Previous work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may replace formal education requirements for some occupations in this unit group.
    • Social service workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces.

  • Additional information

    • Progression to professional occupations in social services, such as family and marriage counsellors, social workers, and probation and parole officers, is possible with additional training and experience.
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