Social Worker

JOB PURPOSE

The School Social Worker will apply expertise in social work, learning and behaviour to help students succeed academically, socially, behaviourally, and emotionally. To partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.

Duties and responsibilities

Organisational role

• Collaborate with the School leadership team to develop, plan and implement strategies and priorities for student social welfare
• Support development of the School Improvement Plan and the achievement of the associated KPIs through effective social work practise
• Develop and implement school policies and procedures concerning all matters relevant to social work in school
• Promote and model collaborative, cooperative and productive working relationships throughout the school by leading by example, showing respect for peers and demonstrating good team ethics
• Ensure positive relationships with parents and community
• Promote parental engagement within the school community in collaboration with Inclusion team and Communications
• Establish networks and productive working relationships with staff in school
• Maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with ADEC, relevant department managers and any other ADEC representatives
• Abide by all ADEC and United Arab Emirates mandates in reporting sexual or physical abuse and neglect
• Actively engage with the use and leverage technology and equipment allocated to role
• Enhance staff understanding and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Prepare reports and documentation as required for school records and compliance purposes.
• Maintain accurate records of student interactions, interventions, and progress.

Functional role

• Develop individualised educational plans for students with disabilities in collaboration with Inclusion team and other staff members
• Maintain student records, including special education reports, confidential records, records of services provided and behavioural data
• Serve as a resource to assist families and schools deal with crises, such as separation and loss
• Coordinate counselling services or educational programs on topics such as classroom management, teaching strategies and parental skills
• Design classes and programs to meet the needs of students
• Promote student motivation and engagement
• Provide crisis intervention services to students who are a danger to themselves or others
• Refer students and their families to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, and social services
• Initiate and direct efforts to foster tolerance, understanding and appreciation of diversity in school community
• Collect and analyse data to evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioural management systems
• Conduct research to generate new knowledge that can be used to address learning and behaviour issues
• Report any pertinent information to the proper authorities in case of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse
• Promote an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and behaviour
• Attend workshops, seminars, and/ or professional meetings in order to remain informed of new developments in school social welfare
• Assist with any other relevant duties as requested by the Head of Inclusion

Qualifications / Training

• Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Social Service, Psychology or relevant social specialist qualification - Essential

Experience / Knowledge

• Must have 2 years professional experience working with young people in School environment - Essential
• Detailed understanding of curriculum and assessment in the School  - Essential
• Application of effective social welfare therapy and practice in providing effectively for the individual needs of all children (e.g. classroom organisation and learning strategies)  - Essential
• Good level of IT competency - Essential
• Promoting the school’s aims positively, and use effective strategies to monitor motivation and morale of students - Essential
• Establishing and developing close relationships with parents and the community - Essential
• Developing strategies for creating community links - Essential
• Participating in multidisciplinary teams and meetings regarding child protection or mental health - Essential
• Maintaining accurate records and preparing reports for legal action - Essential
• Excellent in data collection, assessment and analysis - Essential
• Experience in dealing with academic, learning and behaviour interventions - Essential
• Understand the diversity in development and learning - Essential
• Practical knowledge in crisis preparedness, response and recovery - Essential