School Social Work in Indiana

What We Do

School Social Workers play a vital role in the educational team, helping ensure students are ready to learn and thrive. We collaborate with administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, speech and language pathologists, and other school staff to support student success. Beyond working with school professionals, we serve as the critical link between the school, home, and community—bringing these systems together to best support each child’s well-being and development.

School Social Workers help STUDENTS:

• Develop positive problem solving and decision making skills through classroom, group, and individual work
• Cope with stress due to situations at home, school, and in the community
• Improve interpersonal relationships
• Increase academic success
• Develop self-esteem and self-discipline

School Social Workers help SCHOOLS:

• Promote a safe school environment
• Utilize available resources to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of all students
  
• Develop and implement policies for the safety of all students (i.e. bullying, LGBTQ)
  
• Understand how cultural, societal, socio-economic status, physical and mental health, and familial factors affect students
  
• Coordinate community resources to meet students’ needs
• Educate faculty and staff in areas such as anti-bullying and Positive Behavior Supports
• By being part of the crisis and multi-disciplinary assessment and intervention teams
• By providing evidence-based social work services as a component of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

School Social Workers help PARENTS:

• Understand how students with special needs can access available programs
  
• Participate effectively in their children’s education
  
• Understand and meet their children’s social and emotional needs
  
• Utilize school and community resources effectively
  

School Social Workers help COMMUNITIES:

• Understand school policies, programs, and practice
• Develop strategies and resources to adequately meet the needs of students and families
  
• Navigate available resources and collaborate to provide the best possible care for students and families