Who Are School Social Workers?
A School Social Worker provides a link between the home, school and community by providing support services that positively impact the development of the whole child. Through collaboration with students, school personnel, parents and community representatives, we assist students and families so that students can learn and function well in our schools. Students are referred to School Social Workers through teachers, parents, students, administration and other school personnel as well as community agencies.
School Social Workers are trained professionals with a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Social Work and are licensed by the State Department of Public Instruction. They are employed by the Wake County Public School System as part of the Counseling and
Student Services Department. Some school social workers serve multiple schools and others are assigned to special settings such as alternative schools.
What is the Role of the School Social Worker?
Support for Students:
When Do School Social Workers Get Involved?
School Social Workers get involved when students display or express concern about:
School Social Workers employ the following methods in providing assistance:
A School Social Worker provides a link between the home, school and community by providing support services that positively impact the development of the whole child. Through collaboration with students, school personnel, parents and community representatives, we assist students and families so that students can learn and function well in our schools. Students are referred to School Social Workers through teachers, parents, students, administration and other school personnel as well as community agencies.
School Social Workers are trained professionals with a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Social Work and are licensed by the State Department of Public Instruction. They are employed by the Wake County Public School System as part of the Counseling and
Student Services Department. Some school social workers serve multiple schools and others are assigned to special settings such as alternative schools.
What is the Role of the School Social Worker?
Support for Students:
- Understand the student’s strengths, needs and problems
- Understand the student’s community, family and history
- Participate on Student Support Teams
- Assistance with coping in times of crisis
- Access to mental health services
- Helping break barriers to successful learning
- Helping to gain personal and social competencies
- Improve relationships between families and students
- Help parents to effectively participate in their child’s education
- Help to understand their child’s developmental and educational needs
- Provide access to school and community resources
- Understand special education services
- Strengthen parenting skills
- Counsel individuals, groups and families
- Offer consultation to school staff
- Work effectively with parents
- Discover new resources
- Understand family, cultural and community factors affecting students
- Meet educational outcomes for students of diverse backgrounds
- Implement effective programs and policies addressing such issues as attendance, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, suicide, abuse and school safety
- Coordinate the delivery of educational and mental health services
- Learn about and refer resources to meet the needs of students and families
When Do School Social Workers Get Involved?
School Social Workers get involved when students display or express concern about:
- Unmet basic needs
- Families in transitional living situations
- Poor attendance
- Failing grades
- Effects of family crisis
- Social and emotional concerns
School Social Workers employ the following methods in providing assistance:
- Consultation
- Crisis Intervention
- Conflict Resolution
- Program Development
- Coordination of School & Community Services