Social Worker

Employer: Grace Orchard School

The Social Worker, under the supervision of the Head of Department (Allied Professionals), is a member of the school’s AP Department. He or she works via an inter-disciplinary model with fellow allied professionals, teaching staff and parents or caregivers, and is responsible in providing support services and intervention to benefit students and their families, when difficulties exist and they interfere with the students obtaining maximum educational benefits. He or she will maintain professional relationships with students and their families, acting as a guide, advocate and or supporter so that they are able to help themselves. He or she will participate in case consultations and provide relevant support services to benefit students and their families. The standard of professional practice will be ethical and delivered with due consideration to the relevant legislation and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial assistance services to needy students in accordance with the school’s financial assistance scheme policies.
• Conduct family and social assessment of students’ needs when necessary.
• Provide interventions to students to support and maximize learning and adjustment.
• Provide crisis intervention support in line with the school policies, including recommendations for financial assistance and supporting child protection cases.
• Conduct family interviews for Placement Assessment Screening (PAS) and co-ordinate with AP staff to support placement and transition for new admission.
• Maintain and update students’ case records with relevant documentation reports.
• Provide consultation and update students’ progress to the relevant staff members and caregivers.
• Conduct home visits when necessary.
• Work in collaboration with teaching/non-teaching staff and caregivers for the effective enhancement of services.
• Work with external agencies e.g. family service centres for the effective enhancement of services.
• Involve in the school’s interdisciplinary process of Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Individual Transition Plan (ITP).
• Recruit, train, and co-ordinate volunteers.
• Conduct relevant in-house training for school staff, parents and caregivers.
• Develop and review department and related policies in conjunction with the management.
• Assist in the development and management of the budget for the AP department.
• Assist in the stock-take and control of inventory of the AP department.
• Work in collaboration with teaching/non-teaching staff in various school committees including school event planning, subject curriculum and school programmes.
• Attend school meetings e.g. staff contact time, department meetings, committee meetings, interdisciplinary meetings and school holiday staff meetings etc. to keep updated of school matters and planning.
• Attend internal and external trainings e.g. professional learning teams to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments to develop and maintain skills that increase effectiveness.
• Perform other duties and be involved in committee work as assigned by the school management.

Requirement

• Bachelor Degree in Social Work or Graduate Diploma in Social Work.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in social service sector.
• Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Singapore Association of Social Workers is preferred.
• Good communication & interpersonal skills
• Reliable, responsible and show high level initiative