Individuals looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of young people should consider looking into the daily work routine of a school social worker. Few jobs can be as rewarding and as life-changing as being those that allow a person to be responsible for having a student flourish in situations that might otherwise be devastating.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, school social workers will see a growth of 16 percent. This is higher than the national average for job growth across all fields.
When a child is in an environment outside of school containing high stress levels, this impairs the child’s ability to learn. It’s hard to focus when there are different issues at work to distract the child from getting an education.
This is where the school social worker comes into the picture. School social workers are trained social workers, usually possessing a bachelor’s degree in either social work or psychology. Depending on the school district, a master’s degree in social work might also be required.
Obviously, teachers need to focus upon teaching. When a teacher detects that a student is having difficulty, the student is usually sent to see a school social worker in some capacity in order to make a determination as to the nature of the problem.
Not only does a school social worker have to detect and work with students who are in troubling circumstances, they also make sure the faculty and administration are aware of these issues. In addition, school social workers are involved with various programs on both an individual and district level designed to assist students and families in need.
School Counselors
Today’s students face challenges previous generations did not and this means they need to have as many tools at their disposal as possible. School social workers, acting as school counselors, work to make sure the students under their care are equipped to deal with the new challenges they face, both within the confines of the school, as well as in the outside environment.
Student Advocate
School social workers are often called upon to assist developmentally challenged students. They act as advocates for these students, often having to work as a liaison between parents and the administration. These workers often are required to spend time every year learning and understanding the new guidelines put out for various student programs.
Monitors
Some students find themselves in difficult home situations. School social workers might conduct in-home interviews and inspections to ensure the student is in a safe and non-threatening environment. The social worker will also deliver reports to the administration, detailing the results of whatever interviews and inspections were conducted.
Related Resource: Top 10 Affordable Masters in Social Work 2018
Individuals looking for a way to make an important difference in tomorrow’s adults often choose school social work as an avenue to satisfy that desire. When the question gets asked, “What does a school social worker do on a daily basis,” the answer is often, “Take care of the students and their families whenever they need it.”
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