School Social Work
School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school system and the student. They are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, consultation with parents and school staff, as well as provide individual and/or group therapy.
School Social Worker service delivery may include:
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Crisis intervention for students, developing intervention strategies to increase academic success, helping with conflict resolution and anger management and helping children develop social-emotional skills.
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Family support by working with families to assess problems affecting the child's education, working with parents to facilitate support in their children's school adjustment and helping to alleviate family stress for the child to function more effectively in school.
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Staff support through student assessments, developing staff in-service training programs and assisting teachers with classroom management.
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Student supports for those who drop-out, are truant or delinquent; identify and report child abuse and neglect; provide prevention programs for school violence, substance abuse and teen pregnancy; help districts assess school climate and develop school safety plans.
- Community resources to meet students' needs, helping school districts receive adequate-support from social and mental health agencies and coordinating systems of care to provide wrap-around services.
