A school social worker focuses on the student in the school environment and works collaboratively with school staff to minimise the impact of difficulties on student learning.
They provide students with counselling, information and referrals to other services. They assist students face life's challenges, improve their wellbeing, and do their best at school and in life.
A social worker works with the student support team at Marsden to support students to improve their personal and social wellbeing through personal and family counselling, group work, facilitation of referrals to other allied health professionals. They may also respond to the needs of the student population and school community through education, information or liaison.
Social workers will aim to:
- Work with students to connect, engage and support them to maximise their educational outcomes
- Identify issues and implement strategies to improve student emotional and social wellbeing
- Help students and parents/carers to navigate systems and access a range of supports
- Provide professional assessments interventions and follow up mental health support as required
- Provide specialist advice regarding the wellbeing of the school community
They can also assist with housing and/or homelessness, Centrelink, family issues and so on. Please also utilise the attached website, which connects people who are in crisis with the services they need: https://askizzy.org.au/
Given the size of the school, the work of the school worker will focus on time limited and targeted interventions to students and families who are referred, to ensure that they are able to reach as many students as possible while ensuring a high-quality mental health wellbeing service.
On referral, the social worker will identify and prioritise those students and families who would benefit most from the service and interventions. If they are not able to assist directly, rest assured they will make all attempts to link you up with a service that can assist.
For more information, please contact Annabelle Oakley – aoakl40@eq.edu.au.