School Social Worker provides support services to students, staff, and parents. Support services include referrals, counselling, assessment, diagnostics, and report writing. This work takes place at the school site, in other public buildings, and in private residences.

Tasks:

1. Providing direct support service to individual students, small groups, and classrooms
2. Completing assessments, referrals, and counselling with students and families
3. Consulting with other professional staff and outside agencies and other organizations
4. Completing home visits and assessments
5. Developing and maintaining family outreach programs and community partnerships
6. Serving as a member of the family support team and other school based teams
7. Completing written reports as needed or as requested by Principal
8. Providing direct service to students in the classroom at least once per week
9. Conducting professional development workshop on identifying at-risk students
10. Interviewing students and families
11. Making oral presentations of assessments, diagnostics, home visits, and observations

Key skills for School Social Worker:

• Active listening
• Reading comprehension
• Social perceptiveness
• Critical thinking
• Judgement and decision making
• Active learning
• Complex problem solving
• Service orientation

Average salary (2014):

The United Kingdom: £19,000 - £26,000 per year
The United States of America: $42,558 per year
Australia: AU$53,870 per year

Qualifications and training required:

The first step in the education of a school counsellor is to obtain a bachelor's degree- usually in counselling, psychology, or social work, though a degree in a related field can be acceptable. Following this four-year program, candidates must obtain a specialized master's degree in school counselling. School counsellors should also expect to enroll in continuing education courses throughout their careers, in order to keep up with the latest developments in the field.