Aboriginal Social Work

1. Aboriginal Social Work In School District #57

2. What is social work • Human rights and social justice are the philosophical underpinnings of social work practice. The uniqueness of social work practice is in the blend of some particular values, knowledge and skills, including the use of relationship as the basis of all interventions and respect for the client’s choice and involvement. • Social work is a profession concerned with helping individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. It aims to help people develop their skills and their ability to use their own resources and those of the community to resolve problems. Social work is concerned with individual and personal problems but also with broader social issues such as poverty, unemployment and domestic violence.

3. Generalist Practice • Social Emotional support • This is an abstract term. What does it mean?????????? • Self harm prevention/intervention • Suicide prevention assessment and intervention • Conflict resolution • Anger management • Addictions reduction • Substance use education • Provide a myriad of services • Direct and Indirect service • direct=help students meet personal goals by providing direct individual service to students • Indirect=services done on behalf of students ex: advocacy

4. Social Work • Working with RCMP • Increasing self esteem • Anxiety reduction • Transportation • Increasing food security • Connecting community agencies • Attending court • Sexual health risk reduction, prevention and intervention • Delivering group and classroom workshops to proactively address social issues and provide pro-social education: • Sample services provided by Members of the Social Work team • Advocacy at school • Working with MCFD • Working and connecting with Probation • Home visits • Connecting with families and guardians • Attending community appointments

5. Social Work • The role of the social worker is extensive • Social workers are trained professionals with a minimum of a 4 year in social work or a relevant health and human services degree. • Currently the school district has 7 qualified and trained Aboriginal social workers. • Social workers are located in a total of 8 schools • 5 elementary schools • 3 high schools • Each ASW can carry a maximum case load of 25 students

6. Social work • Schools that currently do not have a social worker in their building, are strongly encouraged to contact the Social Work Coordinator to work collectively to best met the needs of students. • Social Workers receive on-going educational training • The job of the social worker is not static • Social workers need to continually stay updated on current and best practice • Be updated on community resources and work to build relationships in a host of realms both within and outside the school.

7. Social work • Community resources are not as easy to access as one might think • Often waitlists are long, meaning students may not receive immediate services other than what the school has to offer. • A social worker is a collaborative effort, meaning communication is paramount. A social worker is only one member of a much larger team.

8. Social work • Making the referral • Now that you have become aware of a situation or an issue a student is experiencing, you have decided to refer the student to a member of the social work team. • How do you do that . • Fill out a referral form, forms are available from the assigned school social worker or the Aboriginal Education worker. A form can also be obtained by calling the Social Work Coordinator directly, at the Aboriginal Education Department.

9. Social work • Who does the referral go to? • If there is a social worker, at your school, the referral goes directly to the school based social worker. • If there is no assigned social worker, at your school the referral would be sent directly to the social work coordinator, through the ABED Department

10. Social work • What can you expect • If the student is in elementary school, the social worker needs to contact the family or guardian of the student to obtain a signature in order to provide individual services. • Once the social worker has obtained consent they will meet with the student, access the situation and create a plan, with the student that will best meet the students primary needs. • The goal is always to meet the student where they are at and work collectively to move the student forward in productive and proactive manner. • The school Administrator can also expect a monthly summary report.

11. More Information • If you have any further questions, please contact the Social Work Coordinator: April Hendrickson • Phone: 250-562-4843 ext. 210 • Email: ahendrickson@sd57.bc.ca