School Social Worker

School Social Worker

Title:

School Social Worker

Qualifications:

• A master's degree, or higher.
• Hold a valid New Jersey educational services certificate in accordance with the requirements of the New Jersey statutes and regulations; or the appropriate endorsements(s) in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey statutes and regulations.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child growth and development, community social service resources, and current social work issues.
• Demonstrate an understanding of current rules and regulations regarding child study teams and special education assessment and program requirements.
• A record of strong instructional or educational support services experiences and skills.
• Demonstrated management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent collaboration, organization, and outreach skills.
• Required criminal history background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status.

Reports To:

Director, Principal, Assistant Principal, Supervisor, or other certificated administrative or supervisory personnel

Performance Responsibilities:

• Provide the training and the tools that will enable parents to understand and meet their child's social and emotional needs.
• Provide social work services as a member of the Child Study Team, the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) team, and school-based team in the assessment of, educational planning for, monitoring of, and re-evaluation of students in need of special services, in accordance with all applicable federal, State and local codes and regulations.
• Complete a diagnostic social history on students referred to the Child Study Team for evaluation, assessing the status of the student's social and academic adjustment in terms of school performance, family and personal history, socio-economic and cultural influences, and community factors.
• Prepare, with other Child Study Team members, teachers, and parents, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each identified student, monitor the Plan's implementation, and participate in the annual review.
• Ensure that the instructional program for the identified student addresses the curriculum standards and any accommodations, and that the IEP clearly specifies the performance levels in the standards at which the student is expected to demonstrate competency.
• Maintain an on-going relationship with families for the purposes of sharing information regarding the student's educational program, assisting the family in cooperatively improving the student's home and school adjustment, using mediation techniques to resolve disputes, providing home management counseling, and assisting the family in utilizing appropriate community and school resources.
• Assume leadership and cooperative roles in identifying and working with students with social problems and conditions that may interfere with effective learning.
• Provide support services, including crisis intervention, to students experiencing difficulty with student growth and performance, referring students to other resources and agencies as needed.
• Work with and counsel students to enhance their personal and social growth and increase their responsibility for behavior and attitudes. Provide opportunities and resources for students to increase academic success, improve interpersonal relationships, learn problem-solving and decision-making skills, and resolve conflicts and crisis situations.
• Consult with and assist instructional staff with program modifications and strategies to encourage and support student personal and social growth and responsible behavior.
• Serve as the school liaison to all community agencies by consulting and collaborating regularly with school personnel, social agencies, and other community resources to establish and provide coordinated social services to students and families.
• Provide a follow-up program with the student, parents, school personnel, and community resources to support the progress of the student toward a satisfactory personal and school adjustment.
• Attend juvenile court, probation and/or the Department of Child Protection and Permanency hearings, when requested, as a representative of the school.
• Visit pupil homes when appropriate or upon request of the principal or supervisor.
• Work closely with teachers, administrators and other professional staff members, providing information and assistance where needed for the ultimate benefit of students.
• Assist in the evaluation of current curriculum offerings and in the planning,…