Welcome to the SWiS

Presentation for School Staff

My Name is:

Introduction

Would like to take 20 minutes of your time to talk to you about SWiS in your school:

• What we do• How we do it• Who will benefit• How you can refer

What is SWiS?

• SWiS is a free social work service to children in the school and their families/whānau

• It provides early assistance to children and their families/whānau to help overcome barriers to a child’s academic success

What is SWiS?

This is in the form of:

• Early intervention and prevention services to children and their families/whānau

• This can be provided on an individual basis or in preventative group programmes

Why have a social worker in school?

• Most children are seen regularly at school

• There is an existing infrastructure to support the delivery of services

Why have a social worker in school?

• Schools already focus on the child’s well being and development

• Difficulties can be identified early on because school staff are likely to know about the circumstances of the child and their family/whānau

What does the SWiS service aim to achieve?

SWiS work with the strengths of the child and their family/whānau to help achieve positive outcomes for the child. These are:

• Children engaged in their school• Safe, socialised children, who have a

strong sense of well being• Healthy Children

How does SWiS achieve this?

SWiS works in a voluntary relationship with children and their family/whānau to help resolve or manage any specific difficulties which could create barriers to their child’s academic success

How does SWiS achieve this?

SWiS provides children and their family/whānau with early intervention and prevention group programmes to support their child’s health, well being and educational achievement

How does SWiS achieve this?

SWiS network with community groups to access the support for families which is most appropriate to their needs

How you can help make SWiS a success

• Take time to become familiar with the work we do

• Promote the SWiS service and the group programmes to the children and their families/whānau

• Encourage and support your families/whānau to access the SWiS social worker

How to make a Referral to SWiS

• If you know of a child or family/whānau that could benefit from SWiS, tell them about us and give them a copy of the brochure in their first language

• The SWiS service is voluntary, so encourage the child or the family/whānau to approach the SWiS social worker themselves

How to make a Referral to SWiS

Alternatively you could make a referral yourself using the school’s referral process

Anyone can refer a child and family/whānau to the SWiS service. This includes: principal, teacher, RTLB, or any other organisations working with school children

Summary

• We’re here to help children and families/whānau so that their children can achieve at school

• If you know of a child or family/whānau who could benefit from our help, tell them about us or refer them to us

Want more Information?

• Contact me:

Hand outs

Upon leaving this meeting you should have :

• A copy of the information leaflet for school staff, to go in your MoE folder

• Copies of the information leaflets for families in different languages to put in your MoE folder too, so that they are easily accessed for families