Alamance-Burlington School System

ABSS School Social Workers’ Mission Statement

School Social Workers advocate for and enhance students’ academic, social, and emotional growth through collaboration with the school, family, and community.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a School Social Worker?

School Social Workers:

• Trained and Licensed mental health professionals

• Trained to analyze barriers to learning and achievement

• Develop and implement strategies to address and eliminate barriers

• Improve academic success, improve relationships, and improve attendance

• Adheres to  NCDPI SSW Standards and National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics

• ABSS School Social Workers follow the SSW Service Delivery Plan

“School Social Work is a specialized area of professional practice in the broad field of social work. School Social Workers are specifically trained and qualified to analyze barriers to learning and achievement. School Social Workers develop and implement strategies to address and eliminate identified barriers. School Social Workers provide the vital link between the home, school, and community to provide support services that impact students’ academic achievement. School social workers help students increase academic success, improve interpersonal relationships, cope with crisis situations, learn problem-solving skills, improve attendance, and build self-esteem. School social work promotes the academic mission of schools by fostering educational environments that are safe; have supportive, fair, and responsive policies; and emphasize early intervention and positive behavioral interventions.

School social workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work and are licensed by the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). School Social Workers help students improve their academic achievement and social, emotional, and behavioral competence. A school social worker employed in North Carolina must adhere to the School Social Work Professional Standards outlined by the NCDPI and to the professional National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics demonstrating core values of service, social justice, dignity and the worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. School Social Workers are hired by each local educational agency to work within that specific school district.” Taken from the NCDPI School Social Work page

For more information on the role of school social workers click here.