How We Help
How We Help
Embedded Files
TDSBSocialWork-HowWeHelp-InfoGraphic.pdf.pdfSchool 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
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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.
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
When to Connect
A student or family needs support
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
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
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
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Promoting Healthy Relationships
Substance Use
Pregnancy
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Family Supports
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
Crisis
Abuse/Neglect
Suicide Prevention and Postvention
Crisis Intervention
Traumatic Event Supports (ie. Community Crisis, Loss, etc.)
Attendance
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
How to Connect
TDSBSocialWork-WhenToConnect-InfoGraphic.pdfSpeak to someone you trust at the school and ask for support.
Speak to someone you trust at the school and ask for support.
What this support could look like:
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)
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.
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
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:
School Support Team (SST)
School Support Team (SST)
If professional resources are needed, the school will invite you to a School Support Team (SST) meeting.
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
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.
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