School social workers work collaboratively with other clinicians and school personnel to promote the overall well-being and success of students. This includes academic, social, emotional and physical well-being at school and at home.
School Social Workers work collaboratively with students, school teams, parents and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive environments at school and at home. School Social Workers work to find the best solutions for students who are experiencing social, emotional or behavioural difficulties at school, home or community.
One-to-one support or counselling
Social-emotional assessments
Groups
Consultation with school teams
Provide advocacy
Assist with development of student specific school plans
Connect with community resources
Support and counselling
Facilitating communication between home and school
Help strengthen family connections
Parent groups
Information sessions on various topics
Connect with community resources
Provide advocacy
Professional development sessions for division staff
Consultation and collaboration
Prevention and wellness promotion programs and presentations
Coordination of services (school division, school, family, outside services, community agencies)
Home-school-community liaison
Risk/Threat assessments
Accessing social work services can be done by contacting your school and discussing with the school team to see if a school social work referral would be the right fit. School social workers often work closely with school guidance counsellors and the school student services team.