Social Worker

​​​​​​Social Work is the profession committed to the pursuit of social justice, to the enhancement of the quality of life, and to the development of the full potential of each individual, group and community.

A School Social Worker will focus on the student in the school environment and will work holistically with the whole family to minimise the impacts of personal, familial and school difficulties and, where possible, remove the barriers to learning. They will work collaboratively with the school support team including administration, teachers, Guidance Officers, Chaplain, Youth Coordinators and the School-based Youth Health Nurse.

School Social Workers have specialist knowledge in relation to working with children, young people and families, and is able to provide the following services within the school environment:

• Explore all aspects of a student's life – school, accommodation, family, mental wellbeing, social connections, grief and loss, substance use, legal issues; and how these impact on a person's overall quality of life.
• Provide counselling to students with psychosocial (personal and psychological) issues that affect their performance, behaviour, and socialisation in school.
• Assist teachers and administrators with behavioural and attitude issues by communicating with students to find the causes of their distress.
• Provide referrals to external support services when necessary to help students with economic, emotional, or physical issues.

• Identify barriers in a student's living situation that affect their adjustment in school and help identify and alleviate family stress through conducting home visits and referrals to community support services.
• Develop connections and support networks within school and outside in the community to ensure individuals feel as though they belong and are cared about.