How We Help

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School Social Workers are available to you and your family, with your consent. The School Social Worker offers support and information through phone calls, family meetings, individual counselling, parent groups, or school meetings. Our services are voluntary, we need your permission to meet and talk with you and your child. A School Social Worker cannot talk with your child without your written consent. Our involvement with your family remains confidential. School Social Workers provide support to students and families through:

  • Individual and Family Counselling

  • Consultations (with School Staff regarding concerns)

  • Classroom Interventions/Presentations

  • Groups (Therapeutic/Skill Development)

  • Community Connections

  • Advocacy

  • Prevention Initiatives and Anti-Oppression Education

  • Parenting Workshops

  • LGBTQ2S+

  • Grief/Bereavement

  • Crisis/Trauma

  • Restorative Practices and Restorative Justice

Following your SST, the Social Worker will contact you to answer any questions and make sure the plan for your child is clear and get your consent to begin any agreed upon support.

When to Connect

A student or family needs support

Many students and families need support for social or emotional challenges at some point during their child's education to reach their full potential and achieve their best as a student.

Our TDSB Social Workers are available to support students and families to work through many of life's challenges and to offer support.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

  • Assessment and Interventions for Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Sleep, Nutrition and Healthy Habits

  • Stress Management

  • Coping Strategies

  • Support teachers with mental health and wellness awareness, information and strategies


Personal Supports

  • Self Esteem

  • Personal Behaviour Problems (ie. Anger and Self Regulation)

  • Family Transitions (ie. Separation/Divorce)

  • Death and Grief

  • Poor Peer Relationships/Social Skills

  • LGBTQ2S+

  • Promoting Healthy Relationships

  • Substance Use

  • Pregnancy

  • Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

Family Supports

  • Parent and Child Conflict

  • Parenting Skills

  • Stress

  • Communication Difficulties and Complex Needs

  • New Immigrant and Settlement Support

  • Family System Changes (ie. Re-Marriage)



Crisis

  • Abuse/Neglect

  • Suicide Prevention and Postvention

  • Crisis Intervention

  • Traumatic Event Supports (ie. Community Crisis, Loss, etc.)

Attendance

School Social Workers also fulfill the role of Attendance Counsellors at the elementary level (K-8). Attendance Counsellors at the secondary level are specifically assigned to support high school students regarding attendance concerns. Attendance Counsellors support students and families struggling with issues of school avoidance, school refusal and problematic issues of attendance.

How to Connect

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Speak to someone you trust at the school and ask for support.

What this support could look like:

  • An opportunity to connect with a caring adult in the school on a regular basis

  • Joining clubs, extracurricular and leadership opportunities for personal growth

  • Parent/guardian support through workshops and school councils

  • Community resources ie. after-school clubs and programs

In-School Support Team (IST)

An In-School Support Team (IST) meeting offers an additional opportunity to support your child with resources at the school.

If a student is experiencing difficulty (e.g. academic, social/emotional, etc.) elementary and secondary schools have an assigned group of staff that meet to explore ways that best support the student.

What to Expect

  • Parents/Caregivers are invited to an in-school meeting

  • Teacher will gather information about the student's learning and social/emotional wellbeing

  • The meeting is meant to discuss options and create a plan of support for the student

  • Strategies and plan are put into place and monitored for a period of time.

For more detailed information about this process please visit:

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Leadership-Learning-and-School-Improvement/Special-Education/Assessment-Referral-Process

School Support Team (SST)

If professional resources are needed, the school will invite you to a School Support Team (SST) meeting.

This is where Professional Support Staff (PSS) join the IST team and parents/caregivers to discuss the student and make recommendations for next steps

What to Expect at an SST

  • You will meet several new faces, feel free to bring someone with you as support (a friend, family member or community member).

  • School team will share the student's strengths and needs

  • Recommendations and services are developed with parents/caregivers consent.