School Social Worker

Milestones Day School (Waltham, MA) is seeking a talented and experienced social worker (LICSW, LCSW) to work with our students and faculty.  Open to 4 or 5 day a week candidates (32-40 hours/week).  Services must take place onsite only (no remote therapist).  

Milestones Day School has provided state-of-the-art, evidence-based, comprehensive, educational, and therapeutic programming for students  for the past 30 years. Our students exhibit social-emotional, behavioral, communication and learning challenges, including autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, etc.Just bring your enthusiasm and join our multidisciplinary team (21 clinicians and numerous administrators).  We seek an experienced social worker to work with our students and help improve the quality of their lives by teaching skill development.  This role’s ideal candidate will have strong organizational and management skills and a strong fondness for our population.  

Job Summary:

Provide guidance and support and to role model appropriate crisis intervention.  To work with students and families as needed and support students in having successful outcomes. Collaborate with the clinical team to provide as-needed therapeutic support for students across all areas of the milieu. Act as a resource and support for students as they navigate challenges across their day. Consult with case managers to provide resources to families on a case-by-case basis.

The School Social Worker is part of a collaborative team of teachers, teaching assistants, OTs, SLPs, Psychologists, BCBAs, and administrators, providing therapeutic and administrative support to students with disabilities and their families. The school social worker not only provides supportive in the moment services to students who require specific needs or exhibit challenging behavior but also coordinates prevention efforts that support students by building the capacity of family members, other school staff, and community agencies to improve student outcomes.

Detailed Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with faculty, identify students and families that require extra support (e.g. group or individual psychological services) 
• Assess student needs, monitor and follow up, maintain detailed records
• Use Milestones’ system for documenting behavioral incidents 
• Meet with teachers/teaching assistants as needed to provide support for specific students. 
• Provide as-needed, in-the-moment counseling support to students 
• Join case managers for consultation with families as appropriate – phone conversations, meetings, trainings, etc.
• Assist families in accessing and utilizing school and community resources and programs
• In collaboration with the clinical team, connect families with outside support agencies (both state – such as DDS and local, such as home ABA services)
• Assist with legal issues pertaining to students/families (IEP, 51A, 19C, legal and school policy)
• Assist with abuse/neglect reporting and connecting to state agencies such as DCF/DPPC as needed
• Part of the team that conducts bullying investigations as needed

• Team Meeting Participation:  Clinicians’ Meetings (1x/mo); Cohort meetings (as needed), PBIS Committee Meeting, other meetings as needed/as assigned by supervisor or Principal(s)
• Provide classroom support during student lunch block 
• Provide support in the classroom to individual students or whole class support in high need areas of the school
• Lead parent and staff training on various topics (approximately 2 times per year)

Crisis Intervention/Mental Health/Behavior Support:

Working in collaboration with school leadership, case managers, clinicians, and teachers:

• Support students when they are dysregulated or acting inappropriately and guide them in reflecting 
• Help students make repairs, if necessary
• Help students develop appropriate social interaction skills
• For specific cases – attend IEPs, family meetings, and general meetings
• Family meetings on case by case basis
• Crisis management as needed school-wide
• Facilitate intervention strategies to increase academic success
• Parent calls for high-risk behaviors in collaboration with Case Managers/Asst. Principal/Principal/Clinical Directors
• Participate in the creation of intervention plans for students
• May be assigned to run individual or small group counseling services
• Participate in Positive Behavior Intervention and Support initiatives – PBIS (will train)

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree AND Maintain active Licensure in Social Work, LCSW or LICSW
• At least 2 years of Special Education/Special Needs experience. Experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder is strongly preferred. 
• Experience in a school setting

Salary Range: $74,000 – $84,000 annually