What is a School Social Worker?
School Social Workers (SSW) are a vital part of the educational team, working together with educational administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, speech and language pathologists and other staff. School social work is a specialized area of practice within the field of social work. The unique graduate level training of social workers enables them to understand and interpret the influences of the school, home, and community on children. We bring a unique knowledge and skill base to the school system and student support team targeted at supporting mental health concerns, school-wide behavior concerns to include clinical and positive behavior interventions and supports. School Social Workers identify factors that can make school a more successful experience for students and serve as a link between home, school, and community.
What do School Social Workers Do?
School social workers help STUDENTS:
http://iassw.org/about/about-school-social-work/
School Social Workers (SSW) are a vital part of the educational team, working together with educational administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, speech and language pathologists and other staff. School social work is a specialized area of practice within the field of social work. The unique graduate level training of social workers enables them to understand and interpret the influences of the school, home, and community on children. We bring a unique knowledge and skill base to the school system and student support team targeted at supporting mental health concerns, school-wide behavior concerns to include clinical and positive behavior interventions and supports. School Social Workers identify factors that can make school a more successful experience for students and serve as a link between home, school, and community.
What do School Social Workers Do?
School social workers help STUDENTS:
- Achieve maximum benefit from their educational opportunities
- Develop strategies to increase academic success
- Understand themselves and others
- Develop positive relationships
- Improve social skills
- Cope with stress
- Develop decision making and problem solving skills
- Improve overall social-emotional health
- Participate effectively in their children’s education
- Understand and meet their children’s social and emotional needs
- Understand programs available to students with special needs
- Utilize school and community resources effectively
- Understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) that affect students
- Abilities to make maximum use of their school experience
- Utilize their resources in meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs of students
- Promote a safe school environment
- Understand school policies, programs, and practice
- Minimize those environmental factors which inhibit learning
- Develop resources to adequately meet the needs of students and families
http://iassw.org/about/about-school-social-work/