Prepare for a career supporting people with diverse needs.

Our Community Support Worker program places a strong focus on autism and ADHD, helping students understand neurodiversity and develop practical skills for person-centred support.

You will learn how autism and ADHD can influence communication, learning, and everyday experiences, while exploring ways to recognize individual strengths and adapt support to different needs.

You will be well-prepared to approach your future work with greater understanding, respect, and a commitment to inclusion.

Upcoming Intakes

December 7, 2026 Winter 2026 Starting Soon

Limited Seats

In Class

Scholarships & Bursaries

Tuition Discount $1,000

Apply by December 7, 2026

Program Highlights

Duration	25 weeks / 5.6 months / 620 hours (including 120 hours work experience)
Work Experience Hours	120
Curriculum	Explain foundational concepts of mental health, substance use, concurrent disorders, and neurodiversity, including their impact on behaviour, functioning, and support needs. Recognize signs of mental health challenges, substance use, crisis, risk, and neurodivergent support needs, and respond appropriately within a non-clinical scope of practice. Explain how autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence may affect communication, sensory processing, executive functioning, participation, and support needs, and apply neurodiversity-affirming, person-centred support strategies within a non-clinical scope of practice. Demonstrate effective communication and relationship-building skills to support engagement, trust, collaboration, and inclusion. Apply trauma-informed, culturally safe, neurodiversity-affirming, and person-centred approaches when supporting individuals in community settings. Support individuals using harm reduction, recovery-oriented, strengths-based, and capacity-building approaches. Apply de-escalation, crisis intervention, and safety-focused strategies to support individuals experiencing distress or crisis. Navigate community systems and participate in basic case management activities, including referrals, advocacy, and service coordination. Demonstrate cultural humility and inclusive practices, particularly when working with Indigenous Peoples and diverse populations. Apply ethical, legal, and professional standards, including confidentiality, documentation, informed consent, and accountability requirements. Maintain professional boundaries, self-awareness, self-care, and reflective practice to support effective and responsible care.
Certification	Certificate
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code	CIP 51.1501
Compliance	Community Support Worker with Addictions, ADHD, Autism, & Mental Health was reviewed and approved by the registrar of The Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) within the System Integrity Branch (SIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Admissions Requirements

All candidates must meet with an admission advisor before enrollment.
Candidate must provide ALL of the following supporting evidence prior to acceptance:

Age Requirements

be a mature student (minimum 19 years of age). Parent/guardian consent required if under 19 years of age

Language Proficiency Requirements

Candidate must provide ONE of the following:
- evidence of three years of full-time secondary education instruction (Grade 8-12 or BC Adult Graduation program) in English OR two years of full-time post-secondary education, at a recognized institution on the list of *Approved English Speaking Countries* (see here). *Language courses, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) cannot be considered in this calculation.*
- evidence of achievement in a recognized standardized language test or assessment at an overall level equivalent to IELTS 5.5 (Academic) or higher, such as
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT: Overall score of 46
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Overall Score of 40
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A): overall Score of 43
- Duolingo English Test (DET): minimum overall score of 95
- Cambridge Linguaskill, LANGUAGECERT Academic, The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
- iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
- EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

Work Experience

Prerequisites for Work Experience

Successful completion of all academic courses
Hold a valid First Aid certificate
Clear criminal record check, including clearance to work with vulnerable sectors
Negative TB Test
Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended, and may be required for work experience in the program: 2 doses of COVID vaccine, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Influenza (required annually)

Tuition and Fees

Tuition	$12,235
Fees:
Books	$460
Administrative Fee	$50
Application Fee	$250
Total Tuition and Fees	$12,995
Payment plans are available for all programs, interest-free , typically split into 5.6 equal monthly payments of approximately $2,321. Funding is available for those who qualify.