1

Social Work Services

Social Work Services

Program DepartmentProgram Department

Building Inclusive Catholic Communities

Revised July 2010

22

Learning for AllLearning for All

The LDCSB welcomes all students and will provide them with the quality education they deserve;

The LDCSB welcomes all students and will provide them with the quality education they deserve;

Mission Of the LDCSB:To serve the Catholic student in a community that nurtures a living faith and provides a quality Catholic education that enables the individual to become a contributing member of the Church and society.

33

Social Work Service VisionSocial Work Service Vision

We believe in the following values and principles of social work practice:

• Dignity and worth of all students• Acceptance and respect• The right of students to self determination• A strengths-based perspective• A holistic approach to the person in their

environment• The right to confidentiality• Advocacy as a social work activity

We believe in the following values and principles of social work practice:

• Dignity and worth of all students• Acceptance and respect• The right of students to self determination• A strengths-based perspective• A holistic approach to the person in their

environment• The right to confidentiality• Advocacy as a social work activity

44

Why Social Work Services In Schools?

Why Social Work Services In Schools?

1. Learning can be significantly affected by social, economic, and emotional issues

2. Social Workers help students make the most of their educational experience by addressing these issues to create an environment for academic success

3. Social Workers work with children, youth and their families

1. Learning can be significantly affected by social, economic, and emotional issues

2. Social Workers help students make the most of their educational experience by addressing these issues to create an environment for academic success

3. Social Workers work with children, youth and their families

         

55

Who Are School Social Workers?Who Are School Social Workers?School Social Workers:

– Are members of the Affiliate Area Team– Have specialized knowledge in

relationships, individual and family functioning, interviewing, counselling skills, community development and community resources

– Hold a Bachelor or Master of Social Work degree

– Are members of the Ontario College of Social/Workers/Social Service Workers

School Social Workers:– Are members of the Affiliate Area Team– Have specialized knowledge in

relationships, individual and family functioning, interviewing, counselling skills, community development and community resources

– Hold a Bachelor or Master of Social Work degree

– Are members of the Ontario College of Social/Workers/Social Service Workers

                                                                                       

66

Trauma/Loss 6%

Personal Safety 6%

Attendance 7%

Who Do We Serve?Who Do We Serve?

Social

Emotional

36%

Behaviour

22%

Family

Issues

17%

6% Other

4% of students receive Individual Social Work Service

77

Social Worker Activity Social Worker Activity

72 % of time is spent in Direct Service

53%

10%

3%

15%

3%

2%

6%

2%6%

Individual Contact(Student/Parent)Documentation

Travel

Communication withSchool PersonnelCommunity Referral andLinkageCommittees/Meetings

Group Work

Supervision of SocialWork StudentsMessaging

88

When Can Social Workers Help?When Can Social Workers Help?As members of the Affiliate Team, Social

Workers can help when the following issues impact on school performance:

• Abuse/Violence• Alcohol or Drug concerns• Anxiety• Poor Attendance (in collaboration with the

Attendance Counsellor)• Disruptive or Attention-Seeking Behaviour• Bereavement• Bullying

As members of the Affiliate Team, Social Workers can help when the following issues impact on school performance:

• Abuse/Violence• Alcohol or Drug concerns• Anxiety• Poor Attendance (in collaboration with the

Attendance Counsellor)• Disruptive or Attention-Seeking Behaviour• Bereavement• Bullying

99

When Can Social Workers Help?When Can Social Workers Help?

• Depression

• Family Crisis

• Parenting Questions

• Poor peer relationships

• Suicidal thoughts/behaviours

• Tragic Events

• Depression

• Family Crisis

• Parenting Questions

• Poor peer relationships

• Suicidal thoughts/behaviours

• Tragic Events

ContinuedContinued

1010

Service Delivery ModelService Delivery Model• All schools have an assigned Social Worker• Services and staffing are based on the characteristics of

the school community:– Family income– Incidence of love income– Parent education– Percentage of ESL students – Percentage of students at risk

• Determined by the Early Development Inventory

• Knowledge of the Social Workers and other Program Department staff

• All schools have an assigned Social Worker• Services and staffing are based on the characteristics of

the school community:– Family income– Incidence of love income– Parent education– Percentage of ESL students – Percentage of students at risk

• Determined by the Early Development Inventory

• Knowledge of the Social Workers and other Program Department staff

1111

Service Delivery ModelService Delivery Model

• When possible, Social Workers are assigned to a “Family of Schools” that includes:

• Several Elementary Schools • One Secondary School

• Most Social Workers have an office in a Secondary School

• When possible, Social Workers are assigned to a “Family of Schools” that includes:

• Several Elementary Schools • One Secondary School

• Most Social Workers have an office in a Secondary School

ContinuedContinued

1212

What Services Are Offered?What Services Are Offered?

• Advocacy• Agency Liaison• Assessment• Attendance

Counselling (In collaboration with the Attendance Counsellor)

• Advocacy• Agency Liaison• Assessment• Attendance

Counselling (In collaboration with the Attendance Counsellor)

• Case Conferences

• Classroom Interventions

• Prevention Programs: suicide, bullying, violence

• Staff professional development

• Case Conferences

• Classroom Interventions

• Prevention Programs: suicide, bullying, violence

• Staff professional development

The Social Worker may provide some or all of the following:

1313

What Services Are Offered?What Services Are Offered?

• Community Referrals• Consultation • Crisis Intervention• Group Work• Individual Counselling • Parenting Skills

Training

• Community Referrals• Consultation • Crisis Intervention• Group Work• Individual Counselling • Parenting Skills

Training

ContinuedContinued

Social Workers work with individuals, small groups, whole class, Social Workers work with individuals, small groups, whole class, staff and families to deliver their service.staff and families to deliver their service.

1414

Referral ChecklistReferral Checklist

• A referral is made to the in-school team who will review the following:– That parents are aware of the concerns– Past/present agency involvement has been

determined– In-school problem solving actions have

been implemented and the problem persists

• A referral is made to the in-school team who will review the following:– That parents are aware of the concerns– Past/present agency involvement has been

determined– In-school problem solving actions have

been implemented and the problem persists

When the classroom teacher, parent, SPST, and principal feel that a student would benefit from Social Work Intervention the following occurs:

1515

Referral ChecklistReferral Checklist

The In-school team will then seek

• Consultation with the Social Worker and other Affiliate Team members

• Parents are notified that a social work referral is recommended

The In-school team will then seek

• Consultation with the Social Worker and other Affiliate Team members

• Parents are notified that a social work referral is recommended

ContinuedContinued

1616

Referral ProcessReferral Process

1. Teacher, Principal or SPST completes the Social Work Referral Form

2. The Social Worker screens the referral to determine the next steps

3. Parental consent is obtained (for students 16 and younger)

1. Teacher, Principal or SPST completes the Social Work Referral Form

2. The Social Worker screens the referral to determine the next steps

3. Parental consent is obtained (for students 16 and younger)

1717

Social WorkersSocial Workers

Support the school staff in

a myriad of ways

Offer counselling, referral and consultation

Are a team of skilled professionals

Address the needs of all students

Work collaboratively with others