Elementary Social Worker

The Elementary School Social Worker promotes the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of students. The Social Worker provides direct counseling and intervention, consults with teachers and administrators, partners with families, and connects students to school- and community-based resources. The role draws on expertise in child development, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practice, crisis response, and special education processes.

Direct Service & Counseling

• Provide individual and small-group counseling addressing concerns such as anxiety, grief, family transitions, peer relationships, self-regulation, and social skills.
• Deliver evidence-based Tier 2 and Tier 3 social-emotional interventions aligned to student need.
• Provide social work services consistent with each student’s IEP minutes for students in the grades served.
• Support classroom social-emotional learning (SEL) through push-in lessons, modeling, and consultation as needed.
• Collect and analyze progress-monitoring data to evaluate interventions and adjust supports.

Crisis Response & Mental Health Support

• Provide timely crisis intervention for students experiencing acute social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health concerns.
• Conduct risk and threat assessments and develop safety and re-entry plans in collaboration with administration and families.
• Fulfill mandated reporter responsibilities, including reports to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) as required by law.
• Connect students and families with school- and community-based mental health and social service resources.

Assessment, IEP & 504 Services

• Serve as a member of the IEP Evaluation Team, conducting social-emotional, adaptive behavior, and functional behavior assessments as appropriate.
• Attend IEP meetings, complete related paperwork, and provide social work services as outlined in IEPs for students in the grades served.
• Serve as Case Manager 504 Plans drafting plans and monitoring implementation of accommodations.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of behavior support plans (BIPs) as needed.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Serve as a member of the Grade Level Intervention Planning Team as needed.
• Partner with the Assistant Principal as needed to coordinate student support, behavioral interventions, and family communication.
• Consult with classroom teachers on behavior management, social-emotional strategies, and classroom-based supports.
• Provide feedback and training to instructional assistants and other team members to ensure implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans
• Collaborate with general and special educators, related-service providers, the school nurse, and outside professionals to ensure coordinated services.
• Provide proactive support and onboarding for new students in the grade levels served.

Family & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain regular, supportive communication with parents/guardians regarding student progress, interventions, and resources.
• Provide families with strategies, referrals, and community resources to extend support beyond school.

Other Duties

• Perform additional duties relevant to the scope of the position as assigned by administration.

• Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with School Social Worker endorsement (or eligibility).
• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.
• Strong knowledge of child development, social-emotional learning, tiered interventions, trauma-informed practice, and evidence-based counseling approaches.
• Experience with crisis intervention, risk assessment, and mandated reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with IEP and 504 processes, including evaluation, case management, and progress monitoring.
• Experience working with elementary-aged students in a public school setting preferred.

Commensurate with the current agreement between the District and the Kenilworth Educators Association.

District Name Kenilworth SD #38 Building Name Address The Joseph Sears School, 542 Abbotsford Rd
Kenilworth, IL 60043 Phone  Fax  IASA Region Cook North County Cook (North) County

Employment Type

Full-time permanent Job Category Agriculture Education Grade Level Elementary