School Social Worker - NC Licensure

School Social Worker

The School Social Worker supports the academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and attendance success of all students by strengthening partnerships among home, school, and community. Through a strengths-based, student-centered approach, School Social Workers help create inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environments where students can learn, grow, and thrive. School Social Workers promote resilience, foster positive relationships, enhance student well-being, and ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources that support student success.

Grounded in the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) National School Social Work Practice Model, School Social Workers provide services through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, utilizing data-informed practices, advocacy, collaboration, and evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for students, families, schools, and communities.

The School Social Worker serves as a connector, advocate, problem-solver, and systems leader who helps students and families build upon their strengths while accessing supports and opportunities that promote success. The role advances belonging, engagement, attendance, mental wellness, and positive educational outcomes through collaboration with students, families, educators, and community partners.

• Assessment of Student, Family, School, and Community Strengths and Needs Conducts assessments and evaluations in accordance with student and family rights, professional standards, and ethical practices. Identifies student strengths, protective factors, and opportunities for growth that support academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and attendance success. Recognizes and leverages student, family, school, and community strengths to promote positive outcomes, build resilience, and support student success.
  
  Collaborates with students, families, and school teams to develop individualized support plans. Partners with Student Support Services teams to coordinate comprehensive supports and expand opportunities for learning, engagement, belonging, and success.
• Direct Services and Student Support Provides crisis response, home visits, conflict resolution, individual and small-group interventions, and coordination of school and community services. Delivers prevention, early intervention, and intensive supports through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. Empowers students and families to actively participate in educational planning, problem-solving, and decision-making processes. Develops and delivers training, prevention initiatives, and educational programs aligned with school and district goals.
  
  Assists with transportation and other practical supports that increase access to educational opportunities and services. Promotes positive attendance by identifying strengths and challenges, partnering with families, conducting home visits, developing attendance support plans, and collaborating with school personnel to increase student engagement and connectedness. Promotes student mental wellness, resilience, and social-emotional growth through prevention, intervention, crisis response, re-entry planning, and coordination with community-based providers.
• Advocacy, Equity, and Educational Access Advocates for equitable access to educational opportunities, resources, and supports for all students. Identifies and addresses systemic barriers while creating opportunities that promote equitable access, participation, engagement, and success for all students. Promotes culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and inclusive practices that honor the diverse backgrounds and experiences of students and families. Assists students and families in navigating school systems and connecting with community resources.
  
  Supports student voice, self-advocacy, family engagement, and shared decision-making. Promotes social justice and educational equity through individual, school-wide, and systems-level advocacy efforts.
• Consultation and Collaboration Collaborates with students, families, educators, administrators, and community partners to support student success. Provides consultation regarding attendance, mental health, social-emotional well-being, crisis response, homelessness, family engagement, and student support strategies. Participates in school-based teams, including MTSS, Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) teams, Student Wraparound Teams (SWAT), Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams, crisis response teams, threat assessment teams, and other student support teams.
  
  Works alongside teachers and administrators to develop strategies that promote academic achievement, positive behavior, attendance support, and student well-being. Strengthens partnerships between schools and community health, mental health, and social service providers. Facilitates communication and collaboration among home, school, and community stakeholders to enhance student outcomes.
• Program Planning,…