What is a School Social Worker?
Are you interested in a role that enables you to work with students, teachers, and parents to facilitate the educational, emotional, and social development of children? If so, you may be interested in a career as a school social worker. In this guide, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about the position of a school social worker, including what they do, how they help students, and how to become one.
What is a Social Worker?
A social worker is a trained professional who helps individuals, families, and communities deal with issues in their lives. They work in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, and social service agencies.
Social workers provide support, counseling, and advocacy to help people navigate various challenges like poverty, abuse, addiction, mental health issues, and more. They work to improve the well-being and quality of life of those they serve.
What is a School Social Worker?
School social workers are social workers who work with students, parents, and teachers in a school setting. School social workers support students’ emotional, social, and academic development needs. They have specialized knowledge and skills to address various issues that can impact students’ abilities to learn and perform well in school.
What Does a School-Based Social Worker Do?
School social workers have a diverse range of responsibilities. Their primary goal is to work with students, teachers, and parents to support students’ emotional, educational, and social development. Their key responsibilities include:
- Assessing and counseling students
- Responding to emergencies and providing immediate support in crisis intervention
- Working with school staff to ensure student safety and well-being
- Advocating for students’ needs
- Supporting students with special education needs
- Collaborating with teachers, parents, and school administrators to ensure a supportive school environment
- Connecting the school with external organizations, such as mental health and social services
- Developing programs and workshops on topics such as bullying, substance abuse, and conflict resolution
- Educating students and staff on topics such as mental health
- Managing students’ cases
- Keeping up-to-date records on services and cases
What is a Remote School Social Worker?
A remote school social worker provides the same services as a traditional school social worker. However, rather than working in person, they perform their duties remotely, using digital communication tools to connect with students, families, and school staff. Roles for virtual school social workers have become increasingly popular as online learning has evolved.
How Can a School Social Worker Help Students?
School social workers can greatly impact the lives and development of students. They provide comprehensive support that addresses students’ social, emotional, and educational needs. School social workers can offer individual or group counseling and help students navigate difficult issues, such as mental health, family conflict, and social difficulties. They also can help ensure safe learning environments through conflict intervention, enabling students to learn in a conducive space.
How Can a School Social Worker Help Parents?
School social workers help more than just the students they work with; their assistance can also be beneficial to parents. They provide parents with guidance and resources to support their children’s academic and emotional development. They can also facilitate communication between school staff and parents, ensuring parents stay abreast of their child’s education and development. School social workers may even provide counseling to families who are navigating difficult challenges.
How Can a School Social Worker Help Teachers?
While teachers are generally equipped to help students succeed in school, they often need support, especially when students are dealing with issues or require attention outside of the classroom. School social workers help teachers by ensuring students’ social and emotional needs are being met, so that teachers can work in a more conducive learning environment. They may also work with teachers to develop strategies for dealing with behavioral issues and improving student engagement.
How to Become a School Social Worker
If a career as a school social worker sounds like something you might be interested in pursuing, it is important to understand the requirements. Typically, there are three main qualifications: education, licensure and certification, and field experience.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a School-Based Social Worker?
To become a school social worker, you must meet the following qualifications:
Education:
Most school social worker positions require a master’s degree in social work (MSW), with a focus on school social work or a related field. However, there are certain social work licenses that only require a bachelor’s degree in social work. That being said, obtaining a school social work license that does not require a master’s degree may exclude you from certain positions.
Licensure and Certification:
Most roles require candidates to obtain the proper licensing, which includes passing an examination and meeting all state-specific requirements. Additional certifications may also be required depending on where the position is located.
Practical Experience:
Hands-on experience through internships or field placements in school settings provides real-world training for working in the educational environment. This experience is often obtained in conjunction with the MSW degree program.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Social Worker?
The typical timeframe for becoming a school social worker is between 6 to 7 years, depending on the licensing requirements for the position. It typically takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree and an additional two years for a master’s degree. Licensing can take several months, depending on state requirements and exam schedules.
Benefits of Being a School Social Worker
In addition to making a positive impact in the lives of children, being a school social worker comes with numerous benefits. These include:
- Diverse responsibilities
- Professional growth
- Job stability
- Work-life balance
Challenges Faced by School Social Workers
While there are many benefits to being a school social worker, many also face certain challenges in the role. Challenges faced by school social workers can include:
- High caseloads
- Emotional strain
- Resource limitations
- Policy constraints
How Much do Remote School Social Workers Make?
Salary expectations for school social workers can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, such as the location, the candidate’s education level, experience, and the school district.
On average, in the U.S., school social workers make between $40,000 and $80,000, with newer school social workers earning less and more experienced candidates earning more.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a school social worker, check out our remote school social worker openings.