1. SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK SERVICE
Revised on Nov 2014
Briefing session

2. School Social Work: What's it REALLY Like?
(3 mins)

3. 3S’s
Service
School
Self

4. History of School Social Work Service
1907 firstly found in USA
1971 Pilot program in Hong Kong
Recognition of the significant role of School social work
Start the school social work service in secondary schools - 1 worker to 4 schools
worker to 2 schools
1 worker to 1 school
2002/03 Comprehensive Student Guidance Service for primary schools funded by EB (previously ED)

5. Objectives of SSW Service
To help students at risk (academic, social and emotional)
To develop students potential and healthy development

6. Counsellor – case and group Consultant for teachers and schools
Role of SSW
4Cs
Counsellor – case and group
Consultant for teachers and schools
Coordinator – agency and community resources
Community – relationship and resource networking

7. Students (mainly) Parents Teachers School system community
Serving Targets
Students (mainly)
Parents
Teachers
School system
community

8. Coordination of Community Resources
Work Nature 。
Casework
Groupwork and Project
Enquiries
Coordination of Community Resources

9. Case categories (Secondary School)
Related to schooling
Developmental adjustment
Emotional/mental health
Family
Behavioral problems
Sex-related issues
Peer relationship
Others 1.

10. Primary school case categories
Learning problems
Behavioral problems
Family and its related environment
Emotion/psychological problems
Health and Physical problems
Social/developmental problems

11. Types of Programs Counselling/therapeutic groups Developmental groups
Talks/workshops
Community services
Visits/picnics/camping
Exhibitions
Publications
Slide show/Film
Competition
Others

12. Secondary School
As at 1 September 2013, 34 NGOs operate stationing school social work service for 470 secondary day schools over the territory. Two modes of service operation:
Independent School Social Work Unit
Account for 70% of the service
Serving different areas of schools in Hong Kong
Integrated Team (IT)
Account for 30% of the service
Serving 2-3 secondary schools in the designated areas near the location of Integrated Team.
Closely collaborated with the IT of the same agency

13. Accountable to the school principal
Primary school
Before 2002, 1 school(with 1680 students) will have 1 full time SGO/SGT performed by the teachers undergoing counselling training.
Comprehensive Student Guidance Service for primary schools issued in the 2002/03 school year which is funded by EB.
Accountable to the school principal

14. Difference between Primary and Secondary School Social Work Service
School Social Worker
Funded by Social Welfare Department
Employed by NGOs
Secondary School
Student Guidance Teacher/Officer
Funded by Education Bureau
Employed by Schools directly or via annual bidding of service provision from NGOs. unstable service provision
Primary School

15. SCHOOL SYSTEM WORKING PARTIES: counseling team discipline team
career guidance team
extracurricular activity
parent teacher association
education psychologist.
clinical psychologist
clerical /supportive staff
others

16. SCHOOL SYSTEM RELATED PROJECTS:
UAP (UNDERSTANDING THE ADOLESCENT PROJECT)
PATHS (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social programs /from 2006)
WSA(WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH)
OTHERS
OTHER LOGISTIC ISSUES
school calendar
time table
working hours/ lunch
outing
office interview
community resources
others

17. SELF decent dressing neat hairstyle no/few ornaments only attitude
OUTER SELF
decent dressing
neat hairstyle
no/few ornaments only
attitude
language
others

18. SELF physical strength Stress and anxiety
INNER SELF
physical strength
Stress and anxiety
feelings towards various stakeholders, teaching staff, parents…
confidence, reliable, professional image
others

19. Placement Student requirements in School Setting
Independent and able to work alone.
Initiative and active
Able to get along with different stakeholders in schools such as principal, panel heads, teachers, parents, janitors etc.
Must work in day time in weekdays, with some irregular sessions during weekends.

20. CURRENT Challenges
1.Diversity in serving targets:
Inclusive Education -- Special Education Needs (SEN)
visual impairment,
hearing impairment,
physical disability,
intellectual disability,
Autistic
Dyslexics

21. Current Challenges Non-Chinese Speaking Ethnic Minorities Group
Students having Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
Students having Emotional and Behavioral Problems
New Arrivals

22. Current Challenges
2. Emergence of new issues and increase complexity of problems
Family problems single parent families, cross- border families, trans-generational parenting etc.
Bullying
Internet/drug addiction
suicide
Premarital sex, compensated dating
LGBT
poverty

23. Current Challenges 3. Changes in the Education Systems
Primary/Secondary School Places Allocation
DSE assessment
University Entrance requirements
Vocational Education
Various career paths

24. Knowledge Preparation
Knowledge and ways to handle the SEN , ADHD, Autistic and other emotional problems.
Understanding of multi-cultural people and their difficulties in study.
Understanding about the influence of family towards child and adolescent development.
Life span development about children, adolescents and parents.
Understanding the cause and intervention of school bullying.
Knowledge in handling crisis such as suicide, child abuse case etc.
Updated information about current changes of education system and the effects on the students and teachers.

25. SETTING Coordinator
Miss Joanne LO ( ) CJT 5.55

26. Q& A THANKS