Belleville West — Counseling Department

Social Work Services

What is a School Social Worker?

School Social Workers (SSW) are a vital part of the educational team, working together with educational administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, speech and language pathologists and other staff. Their unique graduate level training in social work enables them to understand and interpret the influences of the school, home, and community on children.

School Social Workers identify factors that can make school a more successful experience for students.

What do School Social Workers do?

School Social Workers help STUDENTS:

Achieve maximum benefit from their educational opportunities
Understand themselves and others
Improve interpersonal relationships
Cope with stress
Develop decision making skills

School Social Workers help STUDENTS:

Participate effectively in their children’s education.
Understand and meet their children’s social and emotional needs.
Understand programs available to students with special needs.
Utilize school and community resources effectively.

School Social Workers help SCHOOLS:

Understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) that affect students’ abilities to make maximum use of their school experience.
Utilize their resources in meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs of students.
Promote a safe school environment.

School Social Workers help COMMUNITIES:

Understand school policies, programs, and practices
Minimize those environmental factors which inhibit learning.
Develop resources to adequately meet the needs of students and families.

Services Offered

Individual Counseling
Support Groups
Family Consultations
Crisis Intervention
Pre-referral Interventions
Assessments
Community Connections
Consultation with Teachers/Administrators

Outside Resources

Outside of school hours, it’s always good to know how to access other resources. Safe2Help IL is a great resource, including 24/7 hotline numbers, tips for encouraging others, self-help, signs of mental health struggles and more.

Safe 2 Help IL