Job Description

School social workers act as a liaison between the school, home, and community to support the attendance, social-emotional and academic needs of students. School social workers conduct student/family assessments to determine barriers in accessing and engaging in the educational environment. School social workers provide support services and connect students and families to resources to improve educational outcomes.

Essential Duties

• Works as a liaison between the school, family, and community to meet the needs of students and families
• Conducts student/family needs assessments to determine and address barriers to accessing the educational environment
• Identifies resources and support needed to improve social/emotional and academic outcomes for students
• Collaborates with community agencies to provide resources to students and families
• Conducts home visits to facilitate home-school connections
• Utilizes student data to assess, implement, and evaluate social work interventions
• Utilizes evidence-informed practices to provide attendance and social/emotional intervention support within the MTSS framework
• Supports the integration of social-emotional and attendance programming in accordance with District policy
• Works collaboratively within school and District level teams (MTSS, Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS), Crisis Teams, CARE Teams, etc.) to support the needs of students
• Serves on department committees for development of school social work practices and department initiatives and procedures
• Serves as a liaison between the schools and state agencies
• Provides consultation and support to administration and staff regarding state mandates for child abuse/neglect reporting protocols
• Conducts child abuse and neglect mandated reporter trainings for District staff
• Provides consultation and support regarding compliance of the compulsory attendance law and District attendance policy Prepares and files educational neglect and truancy petitions and attends court hearings
• Assists schools in reviewing guardianship documentation
• Supports District residency verification and enrollment processes
• Maintains student records in accordance with District and state guidelines
• Manages and monitors monthly data reports of school social work services provided at assigned school(s)
• Adheres to the professional code of conduct and ethical practice guidelines stated in the NASW Standard for School Social Work Services
• Adheres to federal, state, and local laws as it pertains to ethical practice
• Ensures students identified as homeless receive educational supports in accordance with the McKinney Vento Homeless Act and collaborate with all stakeholders to support the educational needs of students identified as homeless
• Acts as a liaison between the educational setting and Department of Family and Children Services to support the educational needs of students within the foster care system
• Complies with the Code of Ethics for Educators adopted by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and the Code of Ethics for Social Workers adopted by the National Association of Social Workers, both of which are required by the Fulton County School System.
• Participates in District-level and school-based professional learning activities for continued professional growth
• Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator

Required Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work

Certification/Licensure

Must hold or be eligible for certification as a School Social Worker

Experience Qualifications

Minimum 2 years of experience in the school social work field preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of norms of behavior at stages in a child's growth and development as affected by chronological age
• Knowledge of laws which affect children such as child labor, guardianship, custody, and compulsory school attendance
• Must be willing to take legal action if necessary to help a student and his/her family
• Ability to develop and maintain good relationships with community agencies
• Must be able to successfully manage multiple tasks, projects and responsibilities
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills in rendering solutions to various issues
• Must be able to collaborate effectively with District personnel, the general public, and work with diverse groups
  of people
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Working Conditions

• Normal office and school environment

Physical Demands

• Routine physical activity associated with normal office and school environment