Social Worker/Attendance Counsellor

Title : Social Worker / Attendance Counsellor

Reports to : Senior Manager and Clinical Lead - Social Work and Attendance Services

Job Purpose

Provides service to and works collaboratively with students, families, school / Board personnel and community partners to address emotional, social and / or behavioral issues that are inhibiting student achievement and well-being.

Focuses on communication, learning outcomes, building capacity, support, safety and advocacy.

Accountabilities

• ASSESS RISK AND COMPLETE SAFETY PLANNING : Through intervention, assess student risk and complete safety planning for students, staff and families in DDSB;
• report, consult, and coordinate with the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) on a regular basis for student and family safety; provide clinical expertise as trained members of the Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) team and conduct the initial interview with the family and student;
• provide consultation and necessary direct intervention and safety planning to school staff, students and families as per the DDSB Suicide Intervention and Prevention Protocol;

participate as a member of the school team that determines necessary interventions for safety and well-being as per DDSB Trauma Protocol and DDSB Tragic Events and Loss Protocol.

MAXIMIZE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND WELL-BEING : Maximize student achievement and well-being by providing interventions to students and families where there are barriers to learning, including providing individual, family and group counselling based on evidence-based practices, coordinating service and advocate for services necessary to maximize student learning and achievement, and providing an ongoing psycho-social assessment for understanding to continuously address the evolving needs of students and families through focused and deliberate interventions.

CONDUCT A SPECTRUM OF ATTENDANCE INTERVENTIONS : Conduct a spectrum of attendance interventions in the Durham District School Board for improved student achievement, including initiatives related to Persistent Absenteeism, provide attendance interventions necessary to maintain the student on role / register and to build student success in the classroom, providing the individual and family support necessary to develop plans for improved attendance and academic achievement and collaborating and planning with staff to develop school wide interventions to support school attendance.

BUILD CAPACITY : Build capacity of staff, students and families of the DDSB through developing and providing in-services to DDSB Staff which includes formal professional development sessions, having regular consultation with school staff, developing and providing parent education, providing psycho-educational groups, interventions and school wide programs to provide students and staff with increased opportunities to enhance learning and well-being, and participating in committees and writing teams for the development of DDSB and community policies, programs, protocols and activities.

COMPLETE AND MAINTAIN : Complete and maintain Social Work and Attendance Service Records that are compliant with legislation, professional standards, and DDSB expectations by documenting referrals, completing case notes and documentation necessary for Education Act attendance requirements and other records that may be requested, and maintaining and analyzing statistical information as it relates to both social work and attendance interventions.

Knowledge and Skills

Experience and clinical knowledge in assessment of children, adolescents and their families

Experience in the provision of individual, family and group counselling

Knowledge of mental health, child protection and community resources

Ability to work independently

Communication skills (e.g., oral and written)

Knowledge of and ability to work under the parameters of Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Workers (hereafter referred to as OCSWSSW) Guidelines and Standards of Practice.

Ability to effectively interpret, understand and direct families, students and school systems, identifying barriers to academic achievement, well-being and safety.

Knowledge of policies and procedures : Education Act, OCSWSSW, Enrollment Register Instructions, Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA), Child Youth and Family Services Act, health and safety, Mental Health Act, VTRA, ASIST / Suicide Intervention, Trauma Response Policy, Tragic Events, Equity, Transition Planning

Education and Experience

Education

Completion of a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

The role must pass a vulnerable Sector Record Check and possess a valid Driver’s License.

Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is mandatory.

Experience

Minimum 5 years required relevant and extensive experience in assessment of children, adolescents and families and in the provision of individual, family and group counselling.

5 years knowledge of mental health, child protection and community resources required

5 years preferred - knowledge of school systems and programs

5 years preferred - experience working in a multi-disciplinary setting

The DDSB is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment and hiring of qualified staff who reflect the diversity of our region.

We encourage submissions from candidates who represent the various dimensions of diversity. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.