Social Worker - Attendance

About the role

The Attendance Social Worker works with students, families, school personnel and community agencies to promote school attendance and enforce compulsory attendance laws.

Responsibilities

• Enforces compulsory attendance laws.
• Assess students and families to determine appropriate interventions and encourage school attendance.
• File Child in Need of Supervision petitions in Stafford Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, when appropriate.
• File criminal charges against parents/guardians, when appropriate.
• Prepare court cases and present cases in court as a representative of Stafford County Public Schools.
• Maintain an effective working relationship with students and parents/guardians, including meeting with families in the school, home, and community environments.
• Assist families in accessing appropriate community resources to include making referrals and monitoring progress.
• Collaborate with community agencies to ensure the needs of students and families are met.
• Provide training to school personnel regarding compulsory attendance laws, meaningful tiered interventions to address attendance barriers, and the court process.
• Collaborate with school personnel on information related to the student and family including strengths, needs, and barriers to positive attendance.
• Conduct regular meetings with school-based attendance teams to review data and trends.
• Consult with school personnel, parents/guardians and other appropriate individuals to help increase the understanding of students and to help provide an atmosphere conducive to the student’s growth and development.
• Support the Attendance Coordinator in the facilitation of division attendance initiatives.
• Monitor division attendance trends and chronic absenteeism in collaboration with the Attendance Coordinator.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in accredited School Social Work program with a minimum of 60 graduate hours.
• Three (3) years of successful, full-time experience working with diverse populations.
• Postgraduate Professional Certificate from the Virginia Board of Education with the School Social Worker endorsement or eligibility for same.

Skills

• Effective interpersonal communication and human relations skills with students, staff, parents, and administration.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Communicate appropriately in both oral and written form; thorough knowledge of English grammar and usage.
• Adhere to confidentiality as prescribed in federal, state laws and division policies and regulations.

Core Expectations

• Engage in ongoing professional development relevant to position.
• Respond to written and oral requests for information promptly and thoroughly.
• Maintain a clean, neat appearance and dress appropriate to position and duties.
• Maintain a record of appropriate attendance and punctuality.
• Serve as a role model for students, colleagues, and the general public.
• Work in close harmony with supervisor(s) and colleagues.
• Comply with all division policies and regulations, including but not limited to guidelines for confidentiality and professional conduct, as well as all site-based procedures and protocols.