School Social work interventions can be measured on four levels of functioning. Based on a risk and resiliency framework, the effectiveness of interventions are measured in regards to interpersonal, intrapersonal, academic, and systemic functioning. Some interventions used are individual counseling, family/ group counseling, teacher consultations, and home visits. The intervention used at any given time is very situational and every kid has different needs to be met.
School social work services have been shown effective in treating certain problem behaviors. Multiple studies have shown that social workers reduce violent and aggressive behaviors in their patients. As social worker Sam Bligen from the Johnson City School District said; he realized it was the job for him because of the impact he’s able to make—working directly with kids to fix problem behaviors while they are miniscule in adolescence and set them in the right direction.
Through using an ecological perspective, school social workers are able to assess and develop the best plan of action because it allows them to understand how systems like school, community, and home life overlap and affect one another.
School social workers must be able to work in a team. They work side by side teachers, principals, administrators, and school psychologists. With that being said, they have to be careful not to disseminate any privileged client information but at the same time be able to collaborate. Guest speaker Sam Bligen had said that his colleagues are invaluable resources because they can offer insights that he may not have that may enable him to better help his students.
Sources
Bligen, S. In class lecture, 4/7/2016
Diehl, D., & Frey, A. (2008). Evaluating a Community-School Model of Social Work Practice. School Social Work Journal, 32(2), 2-17.
SW 250 at Binghamton University 