What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Social Worker position at Sycamore Lane Primary?
The School Social Worker promotes and enhances the overall academic mission by providing services that strengthen home, school, and community partnerships and address barriers to learning and achievement. The School Social Worker significantly contributes to the development of a healthy, safe, and caring environment. Such an environment is achieved by advancing the understanding of the emotional and social development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences on student success along with the implementation of effective intervention strategies.
The major functions of the school social worker job description incorporate the North Carolina State Board of Education guiding mission that every public school student will graduate from high school globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the twenty-first century.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The School Social Worker’s principle task is to empower students, families, and school personnel to access available opportunities and resources that develop each student's potential. Integrated into all major functions are home, school, community assimilation; diversity and cultural competence; dropout prevention; graduation awareness; and adherence to federal and state statutes, professional development and practices, School Social Work Standards and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
1. School Social Workers will demonstrate leadership by:
a. being leaders within the school;
b. enhancing the social work profession;
c. advocating for students, families, schools and communities and
d. demonstrating high ethical standards according to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp)
2. School Social Workers will promote a respectful environment for diverse populations by:
a. promoting an environment in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults;
b. embracing diversity in the school, home, community and world;
c. treating students as individuals;
d. providing services that benefit students with special needs and
e. working collaboratively with families and significant adults in the lives of students.
3. School Social Workers will apply the skills and knowledge of their profession within education settings by:
a. delivering comprehensive services unique to their specialty area;
b. demonstrating effective communication skills
c. recognizing the interconnectedness of academic, social, emotional and psychological development and societal challenges and
d. facilitating student acquisition of 21st Century skills.
4. School Social Workers will support student learning
a. through the use of a variety of strength-based methods;
b. by helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and
c. by supporting students as they develop leadership qualities.
5. School Social Workers will actively reflect on their practice by:
a. analyzing student learning;
b. linking their professional growth to their professional goals and
c. functioning effectively in a complex, dynamic environment.
6. Any other duties deemed appropriate by the school based administration, Executive Director of Student Support Services and/or Superintendent.