​CSPG 201 - School Social Worker (PK-12)

Modified: September 1, 2011

Grade Level Scope of Certificate

A person employed in the position of School Social Worker is qualified to serve in grades Pre-K – 12.

A person employed in the position of School Social Worker must hold a current license as a social worker (LSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State and maintain that license to be employed under this staffing assignment as School Social Worker.

Staffing Assignment

A person employed in a position as a School Social Worker is qualified to perform the following duties and functions:

• Conduct formal and informal assessments of student functioning, developmental history, family and community structure, interpersonal relationships, adaptive behavior and cultural factors that may influence learning;
• Use student, family, school and community assessment to develop appropriate interventions to improve student learning;
• Develop intervention plans consistent with curriculum, student needs, strengths, social and cognitive functioning, and cultural experiences;
• Assist in the planning of therapeutic, remedial and behavioral modification activities provided by the educational agency;
• Provide direct interventions to students, including individual and group therapy, counseling, and educational and informational programs;
• Provide supportive case work to children and their families, including parent education and self-advocacy;
• Provide parent counseling and training to help them acquire the necessary skills to support the implementation of their child’s specialized educational program;
• Assist students and their families in gaining access to formal and informal community resources;
• Consult with stakeholders to facilitate understanding of factors in a student’s home, education agency and community that affect their educational experience;
• Consult and collaborate with educational agency personnel, parents and community resources in areas that impact student learning (e.g. mental health, behavior management, school safety, diversity, crisis management, child abuse and neglect);
• Assist staff in collaborating with community agencies and organizations;
• Work with individuals, groups and organizations to develop programs and systems that promote student welfare and achievement;
• Promote collaboration among community health, mental health, and welfare service providers and facilitate greater access to these services for students;
• Participate in interagency panels to assist effective integration of services to students; and
• Coordinate and/or implement bullying prevention efforts for districts.

Special Considerations

An unlicensed person currently working under the direction of a Home and School Visitor prior to June 1, 2011, may be retained as long as they remain in those positions. Once the position is vacated, staffing must be in accordance with the guidelines provided relative to CSPG #201 School Social Worker, or CSPG #077 Home and School Visitor.

A person employed in the position of School Social Worker may provide professional development services, regarding their collegial studies/skills, for school personnel.

Restrictions

School social workers may only work with students as permitted under a social worker’s license. Except as provided elsewhere in this CSPG, a school social worker may not provide services to students that are specifically reserved for a certified school counselor. Except as provided elsewhere in this CSPG, a school social worker may not provide services to students that are specifically reserved for a certified school psychologist.

References

Program Specific Guidelines for Certification

PA Public School Code: §1202, §1212, §1604

22 PA Code: Chapter 12: §12.41

Chapter 49: §49.11, §49.81, §49.102-3

Chapter 14: §14.123(a), §14.124(a)

Chapter 15: §15.5

Chapter 16: §16.22(d), §16.23

Chapter 63: §11

This supersedes all earlier CSPGs carrying this number and/or addressing this subject. No previous printing dates on this subject.

Summary of Changes