1. 1 Social Work Services Program Department Building Inclusive Catholic Communities Revised July 2010

2. 2 Learning for All 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.

3. 3 Social 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

4. 4 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

5. 5 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

6. 6 Trauma/Loss 6% Personal Safety 6% Attendance 7% Who Do We Serve? Social Emotional 36% Behaviour 22% Family Issues 17% 6% Other 4% of students receive Individual Social Work Service

7. 7 Social Worker Activity 72 % of time is spent in Direct Service

8. 8 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

9. 9 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 Continued

10. 10 Service 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

11. 11 Service 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 Continued

12. 12 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:

13. 13 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 Continued Social Workers work with individuals, small groups, whole class, staff and families to deliver their service.

14. 14 Referral 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:

15. 15 Referral 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 Continued

16. 16 Referral 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)

17. 17 Social 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