Social Workers in Secondary Schools

Welcome to the Social Workers in Secondary Schools Presentation for School Staff

My Name is:• Insert name here

Introduction

I would like to take 20 minutes of your time to talk to you about SWiS in your school:

• What we do

• How we do it

• Who will benefit

• How you can refer a young person

What is SWiS?

SWiS is:• a free and confidential social work service for

young people in the school• With the young person’s consent this can

involve their families and whānau • Aimed at improving the social & educational

outcomes for high risk young people, in collaboration with the school and local community social services

Why have a social worker in school?• Most young people are seen regularly

at school

• Schools already focus on the young person’s well being and development

• There is an existing social service infrastructure to support the delivery of services

Why have a social worker in school?• School staff know the young person

and if something is adversely affecting them

• Difficulties can be identified early on because school staff are likely to know about the circumstances of the young person and their family and whānau

What do SWiS do?

• The SWiS service works with the strengths of young people and their families and whānau to achieve positive outcomes These outcomes are:

• Young people engaged in their school

• Safe socialised young people with a strong sense of well being

• Healthy young people

What do SWiS do?

We therefore work with young people to help them:

• Achieve well-being & safety• Support them to achieve a positive

transition to independence• By building on the existing strengths

within the young person and their family and whānau

How will the social worker do this?

• Individual work with young people

• Work their families and whānau with the young person’s consent

• Preventative group programmes

• Referral to other school and community services, where required

How does SWiS achieve this?

1. SWiS works in a voluntary and confidential relationship with the young person to help resolve or manage any specific difficulties which could create barriers to the young person’s academic success and social well being

How does SWiS achieve this?

2. SWiS provides young people and their family and whānau with group programmes to support their health, well being and educational achievement

How does SWiS achieve this?

3. SWiS social workers are an integral part of the school social service hub and work closely with these professionals.

SWiS social workers also network with other community groups to access the support for young people which is most appropriate to their needs.

Examples of how will the social worker will work

• Link in with other social services within the school to provide the most appropriate service

• Advocate for young people with the school and other agencies, e.g. WINZ, HNZ

• Link young people and their family and whānau to resources within their communities that can assist them with any identified needs

• Develop plans/contracts to manage/improve young people’s behaviour at home/school

• Co-ordinate services to young people and their families and whānau

How you can help make SWiS a success

• Take time to become familiar with the work we do

• Promote the SWiS service and the group programmes to the young people

• Encourage and support young people to access the SWiS social worker

How to make a Referral to SWiS• If you know of a young person or family

and whānau who could benefit from SWiS, tell them about us and give them a copy of the brochure in their first language

• The SWiS service is voluntary, so encourage the young person to approach the SWiS social worker themselves

How to make a Referral to SWiS

Alternatively you could make a referral yourself using the school’s referral process

Anyone can refer a young person to the SWiS service. This includes the: principal, teacher, RTLB, or any other organisations working with the young person

Summary

• We’re here to help young people so that they can achieve at school

• If you know of a young person who could benefit from our help, tell them about us or refer them to us

Want more Information?

Contact me:

Hand outs

Upon leaving this meeting you should have copies of:

• The Information Leaflet for Secondary School Staff

• The Information Leaflets for Young People in different languages

• Referral forms for you to refer young people to the SWiS service