Self-test: Is the course "Social companion with federal certificate" the right one for me?
Find out here whether the job profile "Social care assistant with a federal certificate" is right for you and whether an extra-occupational preparatory course for the professional examination is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of a social worker with a federal certificate look like?
A social companion with a federal certificate accompanies and supports individuals, families or groups, usually on a long-term basis, in challenging life situations. This includes coping with everyday life and the perception and realization of their own needs. The aim is to promote the client's personal resources and support them in leading a self-determined life. In this way, a social counselor can directly help people in social isolation, people with disabilities (physical, cognitive or psychological), people with a migration background, the unemployed or addicts. The self-confidence of clients can be strengthened through solution-oriented and person-centered conversations. In the outpatient social sector (at people's homes, people in inpatient facilities), such social support specialists work alone and often on an irregular basis.
The following areas of work are typical in social care assistant jobs:
- Accompanying people (short-term in crisis situations or as long-term support)
- Support for people who are unable to cope with everyday life on their own, in their environment
- Systematic assessment of the client's situation and recognition of reality
- Joint development of a coherent solution for the current situation to improve living conditions
- Conversation
- Developing routines that can provide stability in everyday life
- Strategy development for problem solving
- Supporting clients in dealing with public authorities and institutions (attending appointments, explaining responsibilities, etc.)
- Promotion of self-determination
- Strengthening clients' self-confidence through solution-oriented and person-centered conversations
- Encourage the use of one's own resources and abilities (overcoming dependency and helplessness, developing self-help skills, knowing and respecting one's own limits)
- Support with leisure activities and professional and social integration (search and help with making contacts)
- Involve the social environment in the support in consultation
- Create an environment that enables and promotes contact and dialog
- Cooperation and administrative social support tasks
- Cooperation with specialists and services (social workers, nurses and people from offices and institutions)
- Participation in interdisciplinary social projects
- Documentation of own activities (keeping client dossiers and writing reports)
- Evaluation of your own support processes in order to evaluate your own work
Question 1:
Do the activities meet your expectations? Can you imagine performing the tasks of a social assistant?
If you like the actual job of a social worker, you are on the right track. The next question is what type of training (level of education, course content, duration, examinations, etc.) is right for you to acquire the relevant skills.
Even if you don't like all the activities of social support worker jobs, it could still be the right profession for you. In almost every job, there are also tasks that are less interesting. However, the tasks should arouse your interest and appeal to you.
Alternatively, you can look at descriptions of similar job profiles, as another degree may suit you better:
- Consultant (Cert.)
- Educational consultant (certified)
- Coaching (Cert.)
- Psychotherapist (certified)
- Management courses in social and healthcare services (cert.)
- Vocational training specialist (BP)
- Migration specialist (BP)
- Social pedagogue (HF)
If you do not like the activities, you should find out which parts of the tasks as a social worker you do not like so much. Is it the conversations with the clients? Or the work involved in documenting and evaluating the support processes as part of your work as a social worker?
Depending on your answer, you could look in job advertisements to see if there are jobs with a different distribution of tasks. Or you can take inspiration from other similar jobs. If you are generally unsure about what you want to do, we can help you with ourAdvisorhelp you find your own calling.
Target group and skills: Who is the social companion training and professional examination suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The social support worker training is aimed at people who want to professionalize their skills in social support. These are, for example
- People who work as volunteers in various social fields
- People who work in the social sector without training
- Career changers who want to switch from their current profession to social work
- Re-entrants who want to refresh their skills
The following skills and characteristics are required for a successful job as a social companion:
- Social skills, sociability, perseverance, patience and humor
- Good relationship skills and a high level of commitment
- Good empathy and high resilience
- Personal maturity, reliability and the ability to self-reflect
- Flexibility and imagination
- Openness and empathy
- A sense of reality, good powers of observation and trustworthiness
- Good personal health and the ability to set boundaries
- Ability to take criticism and make decisions
- Organizational talent and motivator
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups of the social companion training program?
If you belong to the target group and you have the necessary skills and qualities, then the social companion course is still an option for you. The federal certificate still seems to meet your expectations.
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot directly apply for the federal certificate as a social assistant. The further development opportunities in the area ofSocial workare numerous and may offer alternative educational opportunities that may interest you even more or suit you better.
- If you do not have the necessary skills and qualities for the job description of a social care assistant, you will probably not be good and satisfied in such a role. Look for alternative training courses in the social sector.
- If you are still unsure about your professional development, contact experienced people such as career advisors for targeted advice or coaching:
Requirements for admission to the professional examination for social support:
The following prerequisites are required for admission to the final examination "eidg. Berufsprüfung Sozialbegleiter / Sozialbegleiterin":
- Federal certificate of competence (EFZ) as a care specialist, health specialist or equivalent qualification in the social or health sector
- and at least 2 years of professional experience (50%) in care and support in the social sector
or
- Secondary level II qualification, i.e. another EFZ or a vocational, technical or grammar school leaving certificate or a technical secondary school certificate
- and at least 3 years of professional experience (50%) in care and support in the social sector
In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, the following is required for the professional examination for social assistants:
- An approved disposition of the thesis, in which the topic, objectives, procedure and structure of the thesis are explained. It must be submitted at least 3 months before the registration deadline for the examination.
- The educational institutions will provide details on admission requirements and sur dossier admissions.
A maximum of 25% of the required professional experience may be gained in voluntary work. This must have been completed within 5 years prior to registering for the examination. You will be informed in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination for social care assistants - in the event of rejection, including reasons and instructions on how to appeal.
Question 3:
Do you have the required apprenticeship qualification and the necessary professional experience for the professional social support exam? And do you have the confidence to complete the additional courses required?
If you meet the requirements, you can start training as a social assistant at the earliest possible date. You will then be admitted to the professional examination.
If you are not sure whether your professional experience is sufficient, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theSavoirsocial.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the social assistant training course with professional examination, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you know someone who is employed in the social sector, ask them for help with your job search.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination after training as a social care assistant with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you have not completed your basic vocational training, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
If you are unsure whether your qualifications and professional experience are sufficient, clarify your chances directly with the sponsor of the professional examination, theSavoirsocial.
If you have too little or no professional experience for the professional examination for social assistants, you have the following options:
- Search with the help of professional job boardsas followsfor suitable jobs.
- If you know someone who is employed in the social sector, ask them for help with your job search.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for admission to the professional examination after training as a social care assistant with your qualifications through an equivalence test, please contact theExamination secretariator theSERIfor foreign degrees.
If you have not completed your basic vocational training, you can make up for it. How can you do this in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content of the social support training:
The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the specialist certificate as a social care assistant is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, theSavoirsocial.
The learning content of the social companion training is divided into the following topics:
- Fundamentals and basic knowledge
- Self-management and personality, personal resources (personality development)
- Dealing with different systems such as communication and conversation (interaction / communication)
- Methods and approaches in social support (conflict resolution)
- Tools such as forms, checklists, protocols, documentation, budgeting, rhetoric and presentation techniques
- Specialist knowledge (theories, models, socialization, addiction, impairment and stress management)
- Practical advice and practical learning objectives
- Exam preparation
Question 4:
Are you interested in the content of the social support training and would you like to acquire knowledge in this subject area?
Perfect, the content of the social care assistant training is a perfect fit for you. With the skills you have learned, you can score points on the job market and increase your salary prospects. You can now find out more about the structure and concept of further training from the training institutes.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the social companion training course, then it is probably not the right course for you. Then take a look at other training and further education opportunities in the field ofSocial workthat suit you better due to the content taught.
Obviously, the typical course content for a social care assistant training course is not for you. You should take a look at other further training courses. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Social companion training Costs and financing:
Depending on the provider and duration, the costs of social companion training vary. On average, the following amounts are to be expected for the training costs:
- Course fees:around CHF 17,000 to CHF 24,000
After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
Participants with a FaGe or FaBe qualification can attend a shortened course, which reduces the costs by around a quarter. - Examination fees:CHF 2,600 (as at 2023, incl. costs for disposition of CHF 300)
The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the social companion examination. - Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and interim qualifications, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for training to become a social companion.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as the social companion training have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also pre-financed in exceptional cases.
Question 5:
Are you in a position to pre-finance around CHF 17,000 to CHF 24,000 in social support worker training costs and CHF 2,600 for the federal examination?
The best. Here's another tip: If you would be able to pay the entire amount for the social companion training costs in advance, many schools will grant you a discount.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the actual costs you would have to expect for the social companion training. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs of the social companion training. Or ask your school about the possibility of paying in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
First ask the schools about the effective social companion training costs that you would have to expect. Then ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs. Ask your school about the possibility of paying the social companion training costs in installments. Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. There are also banks and credit institutions that grant educational loans.
- Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
- Information on financial support for temporary workers through "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, is available athere.
- Information and help on budget planning and budget preparation can be foundhere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort for the professional examination in social support:
- The social companion training and further education program is classically structured (i.e. the professional examination covers all the skills to be assessed) and takes two to three years (e.g. for FaBe and FaGe). The training for the professional examination in social support comprises around 65 to 90 school days.
- Lesson times vary depending on the provider of the continuing education program. Classroom teaching usually takes place on one school day (occasionally two school days) per week.
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the training to become a social care worker, you can apply and deepen the learning material immediately in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for lesson preparation and follow-up as well as for self-study. Depending on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed, we recommend that you allow the same amount of time for the additional workload as the regular teaching time.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons", which provide an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. A suitable learning environment is important on the way to successful completion of the social companion course.
Question 6:
Can you cope with the time and effort required for the face-to-face classes and the homework for the vocational examination in social support?
If you are confident that you can cope with the teaching time and learning effort, you should start training to become a social companion. At most, you can still consider whether you can achieve even better results, such as faster learning or better final grades, with suitable learning and working methods and a personal learning plan. Efficient learning methods pay off in any case.
If you do not have that much time for the social companion training, check with the providers whether the training can be spread over more than three years. Or can you find another way to free up time? Perhaps you can hand over certain tasks during the training period?
Degree, diploma and title:
The professional examination "Social Care Assistant with Federal Certificate" is held annually in German, French and Italian, provided that the minimum number of 16 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years.
Candidates for the professional examination for social care assistants are notified at least 21 days before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The professional examination for social assistants comprises the following three parts:
- Specialist work social support:
- Technical paper on social support (written, prepared in advance)
- Professional discussion (oral, 50 min.): Approach, role reflection, own professional actions, knowledge of social support concepts, theories and basic questions
- Written examination: Application of knowledge and discussion of backgrounds
- Case work (mini cases, written, 90 min.)
- Specialized knowledge, theories, concepts (written, 60 min.)
- Oral examination:
- Case discussion on case processing (oral, 50 min., plus 30 min. preparation time) and review of knowledge about the basics of social support as well as the integration of the knowledge learned, one's own attitude, ideas, values and approach
Diploma and title
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title of "social assistant with federal certificate" or "social assistant with federal certificate".
- In French: "Accompagnatrice sociale / Accompagnateur social avec brevet fédéral"
- In Italian: "Accompagnatrice sociale / Accompagnatore sociale con attestato professionale federale"
- In English: "Outreach Social Worker, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination for social support?
Good, you are confident that you will successfully complete the professional examination following the social companion training. Think about where you can best ensure the transfer of practical experience. Which learning and working methods are most efficient for you?
If you are unsure whether you can successfully complete the social companion course, we recommend the following:
- oneInformation eventof the favored educational institute
- onepersonal consultation appointmentwith the school of your choice for the social companion training program
- at theSchool managementAsk about support options
- oneInformationby the sponsor of the professional examination, theSavoirsocialto dispel your concerns
- itselfSupportfromLearning therapistorCoachthroughautogenicormental trainingGet
You are very unsure whether you will be able to graduate after the social assistant course. You could check which subjects may have caused you problems in the past. If these are subjects that will be repeated in the final examination after the social care assistant course, you should find out about possible preparatory courses, fill in existing gaps in your knowledge with the help of tutors or discuss with the school whether there is the possibility of internal tests or preparatory courses.
If you have intense exam anxiety, you could look for a different type of course that works more with learning achievements, mid-term exams or semester work. External help from learning therapists, kinesiologists, autogenic training providers or mental training providers can also be considered:
No, this social companion training does not suit you. What a pity? Maybe not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Social support worker with a federal certificate is probably not the right further education goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test for the social support worker course again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Social companion training is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. You will find out a lot more about further education there. You can also discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Social care assistant with federal certificate"
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates and check the financing.
Directly to the schools:
"Social care assistant with federal certificate"
Which school is right for me?
Our guide will help you decide which school to choose for your social companion training:
At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to clarify, which will help you to keep an overview.
Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous evaluations from former course participants.
Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can display exactly the ratings that interest you.
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Social care assistant with federal certificate"
Which school is right for me?
Our guide will help you decide which school to choose for your social companion training:
At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to clarify, which will help you to keep an overview.
Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous evaluations from former course participants.
Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can display exactly the ratings that interest you.
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Social care assistant with federal certificate"
Which school is right for me?
Our guide will help you decide which school to choose for your social companion training:
At the back of the guide you will find a helpful checklist with the most important points to clarify, which will help you to keep an overview.
Also take a look at ourEvaluation toolwith numerous evaluations from former course participants.
Thanks to the numerous filter options, including the number of stars, region, year or school, you can display exactly the ratings that interest you.