School Social Worker job description

A School Social Worker serves as a critical link between students, families, and the educational system, providing essential support to address social, emotional, and behavioral barriers to learning. This role is vital for fostering a safe and inclusive school environment that promotes student well-being and academic success.

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What is a School Social Worker?

A School Social Worker is a licensed mental health professional who works within educational settings to support students' social, emotional, and behavioral needs. They are trained to address issues such as trauma, family crises, mental health challenges, and social inequities that impact a student's ability to thrive in school. By collaborating with teachers, administrators, and parents, School Social Workers help create a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can succeed academically and personally.

What does a School Social Worker do?

School Social Workers conduct assessments to identify students' social, emotional, and behavioral needs, and develop individualized intervention plans. They provide one-on-one or group counseling sessions to address issues like anxiety, depression, bullying, or family conflicts. They also collaborate with teachers and parents to implement strategies that support student success, connect families with community resources, and advocate for policies that promote equity and mental health awareness in schools. Additionally, they respond to crises, such as student emergencies or traumatic events, and provide trauma-informed support to help the school community heal and move forward.

Job Overview

The School Social Worker provides essential support services to students, families, and school staff to address social, emotional, and behavioral barriers to learning. This role involves conducting assessments, developing intervention plans, connecting families with community resources, and collaborating with educators to create supportive learning environments that promote student success and well-being within the US educational system.

School Social Worker responsibilities include:

1. Conduct psychosocial assessments and functional behavioral assessments to identify student needs 2. Provide individual and group counseling sessions addressing social-emotional learning 3. Develop and implement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and 504 Plans 4. Serve as liaison between school, family, and community mental health resources 5. Participate in IEP meetings and multidisciplinary team conferences 6. Provide crisis intervention and threat assessment services 7. Deliver professional development to staff on trauma-informed practices and mental health awareness 8. Maintain compliance with FERPA regulations and student confidentiality requirements 9. Document services provided through accurate and timely case notes 10. Address issues of attendance, truancy, and school engagement barriers
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Must-Have Requirements

1. Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from CSWE-accredited program 2. Valid state certification/licensure as School Social Worker 3. Minimum 2 years experience in educational or child welfare settings 4. Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, and special education processes 5. Proficiency in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques 6. Understanding of child development and psychopathology 7. Experience with IEP development and implementation 8. Strong assessment and diagnostic skills 9. Clean background check and child abuse clearance 10. Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

1. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential 2. Experience with RTI/PBIS frameworks 3. Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred) 4. Training in trauma-informed care approaches 5. Experience in urban school districts 6. Knowledge of community mental health resources 7. Specialized training in suicide prevention (ASIST, QPR) 8. Experience with electronic student information systems 9. Understanding of restorative practices in schools 10. Background in substance abuse prevention programs

Bonus Skills

1. Certification in play therapy or art therapy techniques 2. Experience with telehealth service delivery 3. Grant writing and program development experience 4. Specialized training in autism spectrum disorders 5. Mediation and conflict resolution certification 6. Published research in school social work journals 7. Experience with homeless student services (McKinney-Vento) 8. Proficiency in educational assessment tools (BASC-3, Connor's) 9. Knowledge of immigrant and refugee student services 10. Experience developing school-wide mental health initiatives

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