School Social Work in Randolph County

Community

School

Family

Students

School Social Workers:

Connecting

Schools, Students, Families &

Communities

The Very Basics:

Ensure students are in school (and in the classroom)

Make sure they are in a place so they can learn

•Ensure students are in school (and in their seats)

•Investigate/visit to establish the barriers to attendance

•Facilitate eliminating the barriers with the family and others

•If needed, file charges for students, parents, or both for court intervention

•Make sure they are in a place so they can learn

•Investigate the barriers to students performing to their potential while in class

•Facilitate access to resources

•Or make a solution happen so the student can meet his potential

Ecological Perspective(Person-In-Environment)

Local/State Government

School & Board Policies

Home Situation

Fred Student – under-motivated

Direct Service

Advocacy

Program

Planning &

Evaluation

Assessm

ent of Student

Needs

Consultation

& EducationCoordination

& Liaison

Man

agem

ent

Professional

Practice &

Development

North Carolina School Social Work Roles

(NCDPI, 1998)

Direct Service– Individual work

– Group work

– Family work

– Clothing, nutritional, housing, transportation & health needs

Advocacy

– Student’s educational, social, emotional, & material needs are met

– Established laws, rules, & regulations

School Social Work Roles

School Social Work Roles

Assessment of Student Needs– Gathers & records pertinent information to share – Provides assessment services

Program Planning & Evaluation– Assists the school in planning programs that prevent/reduce/alleviate

situations which may interfere with the learning process of students– Provides input into system-wide & departmental policy & planning

decisions

Coordination & Liaison– Serves as liaison between the home, school & community – Establishes, promotes & maintains positive public relations – Researches & utilizes community resources in addressing the needs of

students & their families

School Social Work Roles

Consultation & Education– Consults with staff & teachers on school & student needs– Collaborates with community agencies to provide for student

needs– Provides in-service workshops to school staff, parents, and

community organizations– Supervises school social work interns

Management– Organizes time, resources, energy & workload in order to meet

responsibilities– Maintains accurate case records & documentation

Professional Practice & Development– Adheres to a professional social work code of ethics– Demonstrates effective communication & relationship skills– Strives to develop professionally

Challenges for School Social Workers

Lack of appropriate resources

Safety concerns

Flexible schedules

Lack of time

What/when is an appropriate referral?

• When you have a concern about a child• When you are having difficulty contacting a

parent• When a student is experiencing difficulties in

class, particularly new difficulties• When you’ve heard rumors from other

students• When your spider sense alarm bell is

sounding

Making an Appropriate Referral

• Email the name and relevant information

• Call and leave a message

• Fill out a referral form and send it

Thanks for Taking Time to Learn About School Social Work

Please Contact Us If We Can Be Of Service!