Duties
Under the direction of the Special Education Director and building Principal, provides psycho-social and mental health services in assigned schools, advocates for students needs and serves as a liaison between school and home within the ethical and legal guidelines of special education. A school social worker establishes effective rapport with students and staff.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION
- Assists the school in identification of student needs and the planning of programs that prevent, reduce or alleviate situations that interfere with the learning process of students.
- Aids in designing procedures and collecting data for student needs within schools.
- Participates in developing programs/services identified as a need (conflict resolution, social skills, teacher assistance, anger management).
- Provides relevant and useful recommendations based on assessment consistent with school program.
- Participates in multidisciplinary staff conferences concerning individual cases of special need (academic, behavioral, cognitive, social emotional).
- Collaborates with other staff in the planning of programs and services for students.
- Provides relevant and useful recommendations based on assessment consistent with the school programs.
- Organizes time, resources and workload in order to meet responsibilities and identified building needs.
- Plans a schedule of activities.
- Prepares timely and accurate reports and data.
- Plans and submits monthly schedule as requested by administration.
- Maintains accurate, complete and punctual records as required by law, policy, and administrative directions.
- Documents information to substantiate circumstances relating to pertinent events.
- Maintains adequate case records.
- Provides follow-up and feedback.
- Provides Social Work Services.
- Follows established policies and procedures in delivery of services.
- Arranges time and schedule to meet specified objectives and student needs.
- Establishes priorities for service delivery in collaboration with appropriate school staff.
- ASSESSMENT/EVAUATION/INTERVENTION
- Assists in early identification of students and intervention strategies relating to school based academic and social-emotional problems.
- Consults with school staff regarding pre-referral and intervention strategies necessary prior to a case study.
- Provides information about resources to parents, students and staff.
- Collects and records information to share with appropriate personnel as a component of the case study. This may include the following:
- Home visit.
- Parent conference.
- Student interview.
- Teacher interview.
- Record review.
- Observations in various environments.
- Obtaining pertinent medical, educational, cultural and social history for case study.
- Provides written reports within designated time frame, including appropriate recommendations.
- Participates in multidisciplinary staff conferences concerning case studies of students referred for assessment.
- Communicates verbally and in written form parent concerns and student’s history.
- Assesses the impact of social/emotional and environmental factors on the student.
- Includes information regarding classroom/school situations (observations, checklists, questionnaires, etc.)
- Consults with staff and parents regarding student needs and appropriate services/strategies to increase success in school.
- Confers cooperatively with school personnel in the development and implementation of classroom management and/or instructional strategies.
- Assists in the development of plans to meet individual social, emotional and learning needs.
- Provides assistance in developing instructional programs for individual students with special problems of affective development and social skills.
- Aids teachers in designing curricula to develop adaptive behavior, functional life skills and vocational orientation skills.
- Provides implementation of realistic intervention strategies for students to support and assist in their learning and adjustment.
- Provides social and/or cognitive skills training for individuals/groups.
- Collaborates in developing and implementing prevention programs related to current social concerns (anger management, conflict resolution).
- Counsels students individually or in groups on improvement of educational progress and personal adjustment.
- Intervenes with students in crisis situations.
- PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT
- Delivers services consistent with social work ethical and legal principles and standards.
- Demonstrates confidentiality in client relationships.
- Maintains copies of ethical principles and professional standards of practice in professional files.
- Adheres to statues and regulations addressing civil and legal rights of students, parents and school personnel.
- Complies with established lines of authority within the parameters of professional standards of practice and ethical principles.
- Upgrades professional skills and knowledge.
- Participates in professional organizations.
- Attends workshops, training sessions, conferences and/or formal coursework.
- Maintains knowledge base through reading and/or participating in research activities.
- Relates current best practices to job duties/responsibilities.
- Works in cooperation with building principals, supervisors and staff members to implement appropriate services.
- Maintains effective interpersonal relationships and communication with staff and students.
- Understands and works within one’s role in the system and contributes to the total educational effort.
- Reports directly to the Building Principal.
Qualifications
Valid Illinois Teaching Certificate
Salary/Benefits
Starting base of $43,976.00 w/out TRS