School Social Worker

Reports to: Principal Terms of Employment: 10 months FLSA Status: Exempt The School Social Worker is a professional member of the school’s 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 additional 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 adolescent development, behavioral health and socialemotional development. • Knowledge of individual, small-group, classroom and school-wide intervention strategies. • Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, crisis intervention, prevention and positive behavioral supports. • Knowledge of Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), student support processes and data-informed intervention practices. • Knowledge of attendance and truancy laws, policies and intervention strategies. • Knowledge of family systems, family engagement strategies and community resources. • Knowledge of child abuse and neglect laws and mandated reporting requirements. • Knowledge of special education, related services and the role of social work in supporting students with disabilities. • Knowledge of school climate, student engagement, conflict resolution and restorative practices. • Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures affecting students and families. • Ability to assess individual student, small-group and school-wide needs and develop appropriate interventions and support strategies. • Ability to use student and school data to identify trends, prioritize services and respond to the identified needs and priorities of the school. • Ability to establish positive, trusting and professional relationships with students, families, school personnel and community partners. • Ability to provide effective individual and small-group support within the scope of professional training and licensure. • Ability to facilitate small groups addressing identified academic, behavioral, social-emotional, attendance or other student needs. • Ability to collaborate effectively with administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, EC personnel and other multidisciplinary team members. • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. • Ability to conduct interviews, assessments, observations, home visits and other activities necessary to identify and address barriers to student success. • Ability to respond calmly, appropriately and professionally to crisis situations and emotionally challenging circumstances. • Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect confidential information. • Ability to advocate effectively for students and families and connect them with appropriate school and community resources. • Ability to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate student and school-wide interventions. • Ability to manage multiple cases, priorities, responsibilities and deadlines effectively. • Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication and collaboration with supervisors and school personnel. • Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records and documentation. • Ability to use technology, student information systems and other tools necessary to perform job responsibilities. • Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational and family backgrounds. • Ability to demonstrate flexibility, initiative, professionalism, integrity and a commitment to student success. Physical Requirements • Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach and move throughout school buildings and community settings. • Ability to travel between schools, homes, community agencies and other locations as required. • Ability to conduct home visits and work in a variety of environments. • Ability to use a computer, telephone, mobile device, and standard office equipment. • Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push or pull materials and equipment weighing up to approximately 25 pounds. • Ability to work in environments that may involve emotionally stressful situations, behavioral challenges or exposure to illness or other potentially hazardous conditions. • Ability to maintain sufficient mobility, stamina, vision, hearing and dexterity to perform the essential functions of the position. Special Requirements Valid driver’s license