School Social Worker

School Social Worker

Utilizes specialized expertise in understanding family and community systems to link students and their families with services essential to promoting student success. Provides a variety of professional school social work services to students and their families to address social, emotional and environmental issues that impact academic performance. Provides consultation and recommendations regarding support to improve student performance. Ensures that all initiatives support the goals identified in system-wide strategic plan. Performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Assesses needs and provides direct interventions to students and families individually and in groups regarding the social, emotional, behavioral and mental health interventions to allow for access to learning.
• Determines and implements appropriate intervention strategies including a range of therapeutic services with students and families, including support during mental health crisis.
• Mobilizes and coordinates community resources for students and families to address academic, social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Assesses the need for the development of community partnerships to expand resources available to students and families.
• Identifies and assesses sources of academic concerns, including factors in the school environment, the home setting and community which interfere with school success. The activities could include the completion of psychosocial assessments.
• Functions as a liaison between the family and the school regarding the child's educational needs and social-emotional progress. Encourages positive parental involvement in school activities.
• Provides consultation, group counseling, educational workshops, and other services to parents/caretakers on topics such as parenting, mindfulness, communication with school personnel, child growth and development.
• Collaborates with school staff and other educational personnel in efforts to alleviate identified factors impacting student performance. Such collaborative activities include participation in the IEP Team and Student Support Team process.
• Serves on school-based and system-wide committees to address students' emotional, social, and behavioral needs, with an emphasis on the provision of evidenced-based services.
• Provides crisis intervention services. Provides case management services.
• Provides staff development and consultative services on pertinent issues affecting students' learning, social/emotional and behavioral health.
• Develops and implements programs and strategies designed to improve situations detrimental to the learning experiences of students.
• Conducts psychoeducational groups and classroom presentations on identified areas of concerns inclusive of topics emotional management, conflict resolution, decision-making, etc.
• Conducts home visit to establish home-school communication and collaboration related to the identified areas of concern for the student.
• Conducts risk assessments and collaborates with school personnel to support student safety.
• Serves as a liaison with community organizations and agencies to foster communication between parents/guardians and schools to mobilize resources to support educational performance.
• Maintains required documentation and prepares reports as required in adherence with School Social Work Services.
• Attends required meetings for professional development purposes.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in social work. Possession of a Maryland Educator Professional Certificate with School Social Worker endorsement. Possession of a Graduate or Master's Social Worker License (LMSW), Certified Social Worker License (LCSW), or Social Worker Clinical License (LCSW-C) issued by the Maryland Board of Social Worker Examiners. Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work. Knowledge of public education. Skill in providing social work services to students and their families. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships. Skill in collaborating with teachers and school staff. Skill in communicating and utilization of technology.