What does a school social worker do?

My Role

• Direct individual, family and group counseling. • Develop, promote & deliver preventive

services in collaboration with other professionals (ex. Classroom presentations).

• To help students, parents, and teachers deal with students emotional needs which affect performance.

My Model of Practice

• My model of practice is strengths based, as such, when I speak with you about students be mindful of what the student is already doing well.

This is not to say that I wont explore the students weaknesses, however, I need a place to start!

ProcessHow to get the student to me

• Referrals– You can come see me, I will talk with you and we

will go over the referral and a plan.– You can fill out a referral form and give it to me.– I will visit classrooms and let students know what I

do. Please fill out the schedule. Please do not talk negatively about a student in

front of them- especially to me, it really hinders the relationship building process.

Confidentiality and Ethics

• NLSD’s policy on privacy and ethical guidelines come second to social work ethics in this role.– I am bound by an outside body of regulations,

therefore, it is my duty to be aware of my ethics and to follow them.

– Why should you know this? I am not being offensive when I tell you that I wont share information with you. I can be general, to give you a sense progress but not too much.

Groups

• Boys Leadership/Mentorship (violence prevention)– Purpose: engage disengaged boys.– Action: taking boys out on retreats to engage in

activities that will focus on self worth. – Outcomes: communication skills, better self

regulation in class & raised self-esteem. – Who joins? They have been hand picked.– When? 1st meeting Friday Oct 11 at 1:00 pm Day

retreat hopefully October 25th

Groups con’t

• Relationships 911 (pregnancy prevention and prevention of a second child)– Purpose: to build self esteem, communication skills,

healthy boundaries & explore sexuality. – Action: hold weekly groups to discuss topics that are

of interest to the group.– Outcomes: raised sense of self, awareness of – Who joins? Grade nines and up, boys and girls.– When? Wednesday's at 11:00 – 12:00

Groups con’t

• Peer Support (Engagement = prevention)• Purpose: promoting youth positive environment,

community service, healthy risks, and self- growth.• Action: weekly meetings to address key issues the

affect youth in the community.• Outcomes: facilitation skills and leadership skills,

empowerment, raised sense of accomplishment.

• Who joins? Youth who want to make a difference for their peers.

• When? Monday’s at 11:00-12:00