School Social Worker

Reports to: Principal Terms of Employment: 10 months FLSA Status: Exempt The School Social Worker is a professional member of the schools student support team who provides comprehensive social, emotional, behavioral and family support services to promote student success. The School Social Worker works collaboratively with students, families, teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, exceptional children staff, community agencies and other school personnel to identify and address barriers that interfere with student learning, attendance, behavior, engagement and overall well-being. Qualifications Masters Degree in Social Work Must hold or be eligible to hold a North Carolina Professional License in the area of School Social Worker. Duties and Responsibilities Student Support and Intervention Provide comprehensive social work services to support students' academic, social, emotional, behavioral and mental health needs. Conduct individual student assessments to identify barriers to learning and determine appropriate interventions and resources. Provide individual counseling and supportive interventions within the scope of professional training and licensure. Develop, implement and monitor student support plans based on identified needs. Assist students in developing coping skills, problem-solving skills, decisionmaking skills, communication skills and positive interpersonal relationships. Monitor student progress and adjust interventions as necessary. Serve as an advocate for students and families when additional services or supports are needed. Small-Group Support Plan and facilitate small-group interventions based on identified student and school needs. Develop groups addressing areas such as social-emotional development, anger management, conflict resolution, grief and loss, peer relationships, coping skills, school adjustment, attendance, behavior and other identified needs. Use student data, teacher referrals, school data and observations to identify students who may benefit from small-group support. Monitor student participation and progress in small-group interventions. Collaborate with teachers and other student support personnel to reinforce skills addressed through small-group services. Evaluate the effectiveness of small-group interventions and make recommendations for continued or additional support. School-Wide Student Support Assess and respond to the identified needs and priorities of the school. Collaborate with school administrators and staff to identify trends in attendance, behavior, discipline, student engagement and other areas affecting student success. Assist in developing and implementing school-wide interventions and prevention programs. Participate in school-wide efforts to improve school climate, student belonging, attendance, behavior and student engagement. Provide classroom presentations, lessons, or activities addressing socialemotional, behavioral, safety or other identified student needs. Assist schools in developing strategies to address emerging student and family needs. Participate in school improvement and student support planning when appropriate. Use school and student data to prioritize services and determine areas requiring additional intervention or support. Multi-Tiered System of Support Participate as an active member of the school's MTSS and student support teams. Provide social work expertise when reviewing student needs, interventions, progress-monitoring data and available resources. Assist in identifying appropriate Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports. Provide or coordinate interventions based on the level of student need. Collaborate with teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, EC staff and other personnel to ensure coordinated student support. Monitor the effectiveness of interventions and make recommendations for modifications or additio al services. Attendance and Engagement Identify and address barriers contributing to chronic absenteeism, truancy, school refusal and disengagement. Develop individual and small-group attendance interventions. Collaborate with students, parents, teachers, administrators and community agencies to improve attendance. Conduct home visits when appropriate and consistent with district procedures. Connect families with community resources that may address barriers to regular school attendance. Family and Community Support Establish effective partnerships among students, families, schools and community agencies. Provide families with information regarding available educational, social, health and community resources. Assist families in accessing resources related to housing, food, healthcare, transportation, childcare and other basic needs. Make appropriate referrals to community agencies and follow up on services when appropriate. Support students and families experiencing homelessness, foster care placement, family instability or other circumstances affecting educational success. Crisis Support Identify and respond appropriately to student social and emotional concerns. Provide crisis intervention and short-term support within the scope of professional practice. Support students experiencing trauma, grief, loss, anxiety, depression, family disruption or other significant life events. Make appropriate referrals to community-based mental health and other support services. Participate in school crisis response and prevention activities as directed. Assist the school in developing supportive responses to significant student and school-wide events. Consultation and Collaboration Consult with teachers, administrators, counselors and other school personnel regarding student social, emotional, behavioral, and family needs. Provide staff consultation regarding strategies for supporting individual students and groups of students. Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and student support teams. Assist staff in understanding the impact of social, emotional, family, cultural and environmental factors on student learning and behavior. Provide professional development or informational sessions to staff and families as appropriate. Documentation and Professional Responsibilities Maintain accurate, confidential and timely records of assessments, interventions, contacts, referrals and services. Document services in accordance with district, state and federal requirements. Maintain appropriate confidentiality and comply with applicable laws and district policies. Participate in professional development and maintain required licensure. Adhere to applicable professional standards and ethical requirements. Perform other duties as assigned by the principal, Director of Student Support Services or Superintendent. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of professional social work principles, practices, standards and ethics. Knowledge of child and adolescen