You might hire a school social worker to:
Mobilize family, school, and community resources to support a child’s learning
Provide crisis intervention, behavioral therapy, and social skill development assistance
Gather information to help school staff understand student performance and behavior
Assist in developing educational programs that serve a broader base of student needs
| Required skills and qualifications | Preferred skills and qualifications |
| Social work registration, certification, or licensing, depending on local regulations | One to two years of social work experience relevant to the age group served |
| Supervised experience, whether through a university course, apprenticeship, or training program | Background in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, violence and child abuse prevention, substance abuse counseling, character education, or family counseling |
| Knowledge of clinical interventions and the ability to put them into practice | A growth mindset and collaborative approach to meeting student needs |
| Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills | Time management skills and the ability to multitask |
| Ability to pass a background check and commitment to ethical conduct | Computer skills for recordkeeping purposes |
