Are you passionate about working with young people but interested in learning about options beyond classroom teaching? You may find the career you’re looking for as a school social worker.
School social workers play an invaluable role in school communities, providing counseling and academic support as well as looking out for the overall wellbeing of students.
They can also provide crucial support to teachers and families, focusing their attention on the emotional needs of students to help guide the other adults in their lives to be as supportive and encouraging as possible.
So what does the work of a school social worker entail, and how does one become one? Read on to learn everything you need to know about the career of a school social worker in Texas.
Responsibilities of a School Social Worker
Social workers are an indispensable part of the modern-day school system in the U.S. As on-campus authority figures whose roles aren’t overwhelmed by the demanding work of classroom teaching, they are able to devote focused attention on students’ additional needs. After all, schools aren’t vacuums for students’ lives; rather, students arrive at school carrying the rest of their lives with them.
When students are struggling – whether due to mental health issues, problems at home, or any other issues – their behavioral issues at school can offer important insights that can allow parents and professionals to address students’ challenges head-on.
School social workers understand that their duty is to be keen observers of students’ behavior as well as first responders when students are struggling. This is a complex, multifaceted role with a variety of responsibilities that school social workers will build over the course of their careers.
Below are some of the top responsibilities of school social workers. Every school and community is unique, but you’re likely to perform the majority of these duties no matter where you work.
Providing Counseling and Guidance to Students
When you think of a school social worker, you most likely think of school counselors. Indeed, this is a top job title for school social workers, and is the particular function that draws most school social workers to the field.
As you may expect, school counselors act as on-campus resources for students with mental health struggles. While in some cases, students can self-elect to speak to an on-campus counselor, there are many cases in which students do not take it upon themselves to seek out the support they need. This is why the observant eyes of school counselors are so important: by working in coordination with teachers to monitor students, they can identify red flags that prompt them to initiate supportive discussions with those in need.
Beyond working with students and collaborating with teachers, school social workers can also act as liaisons with parents, helping them understand their childs’ needs and helping to create a comprehensive care plan that is as beneficial to students in their home environment as at school. This can be game-changing for students who aren’t communicative about their concerns with their families, ensuring that no issue goes unnoticed or unaddressed.
Monitoring Student Health and Wellbeing
Another important way school counselors can provide for student needs is by acting as campus monitors, looking out for the warning signs of critical issues like malnourishment, mental illness, and signs of neglect or abuse at home. Many of these serious issues are ones students are unwilling to bring up themselves, whether due to discomfort, embarrassment, or fear of consequences for speaking up. Having a third party identify symptoms of these issues can be a vital catalyst for action and change to take place. In cases when these concerns are confirmed, school social workers are prepared to spring into action, providing the resources students need to find safety and security.
Understanding how to navigate these issues requires deep sensitivity and care, and school social workers can draw from their extensive training to understand the best avenues to proceed during delicate situations. This is a boon for students and families alike, especially for those who do not have the resources to provide for intervention themselves.
Crisis Intervention
There are some instances in which school social workers are required to act swiftly. This can happen in cases when students are suspected to be in grave distress, as well as when on-campus crises occur, such as mental health emergencies, altercations between students, and cases when students exhibit signs of serious danger. The training and guidance of an expert can make all the difference in delivering a comprehensive response with care and calm, accounting for the volatility of these situations and working to dial down the temperature on circumstances that have become inflamed.
For those considering pursuing a career in school social work, this may sound daunting or intimidating. However, prospective school social workers can rest easy with the knowledge that they will not be tasked with handling these situations alone. Rather, school social workers often act as first responders who find dedicated services to support their efforts and will provide additional resources when necessary.
Contributing to School Culture
Beyond providing direct support to students, school social workers can also play an important role in creating an on-campus culture that makes school safer and more welcoming for all. They can also lead educational programs that provide information and resources to students to help them address their most pressing needs.
Oftentimes school social workers collaborate with teachers and other faculty members to develop initiatives to improve on-campus issues (as well as address widespread issues that students may be facing outside of school). By creating these programs in schools, school counselors are investing in a school culture where students will feel free to share what they are going through and look to professionals when they are seeking support. This is a way that school counselors can approach their work on the macro level, dealing with school communities as a whole.
Current Trends in School Social Work
One of the engaging and exciting things about school social work is that the field is undergoing near-constant revision to stay in step with students’ needs and the evolution of school environments in the 21st century.
For school social workers, adaptation and growth is a rewarding and interesting part of the job, allowing you to continue to build your skills and develop new ones to support students as thoroughly as possible.
Below are a few of the top trends in the school social work field today, ones you are likely to encounter in your own career.
Technology
The rise of digital technology has been of tremendous use to educators, allowing them to enhance their lessons and engage with students in previously unimagined ways. It also has provided an invaluable resource to school social workers, who are able to offload a variety of administrative tasks and focus on the meat of their work. Tools like virtual conferencing also can improve accessibility, making it possible for parents who are not able to commute to campus to have important meetings about their childrens’ wellbeing.
Cultural Competence
A growing conversation in the world of social work, cultural competence is a new set of standards designed to ensure that social workers can bridge differences in perspective to provide support without bias. In our present-day understanding of issues surrounding race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and more, we recognize that learning how to take on these conversations requires a focused education, which is why many Texas-based MSW programs include cultural competence in their foundational curriculum for incoming social workers. Those who work in school settings are likely to see this understanding continue to evolve over the course of their careers.
The Evolving Field of Mental Health
Many school social workers provide mental health counseling to students in need, as well as working with parents and teachers to create holistic support plans for young people who are struggling. In fact, this comprehensive approach to mental health issues is itself a new strategy in the world of mental health services, recognizing that psychological and emotional needs arise in a variety of contexts beyond the counselor’s office.
For those who are keenly interested in psychology, these new developments in mental health services will be an engaging and stimulating part of your work as a school social worker, promising to keep your work fresh and interesting over the course of a long-lasting career.
Challenges in School Social Work
Those who aspire to become school social workers likely already understand that the job can come with a fair share of challenges. Overcoming these can be a rewarding and empowering part of a school social worker’s career, but it can certainly help to be prepared for the issues you are likely to see in your professional life.
Some of the top issues school social workers encounter in their work include the following:
- Limited resources and funding. Unfortunately, this is an issue that many schools are currently facing, requiring on-campus professionals to be resourceful and creative to develop effective strategies and protocols that stay within their budget.
- Emerging mental health challenges. Present-day students experience many of the same stresses and burdens that we all remember from adolescence. However, they are also subject to some conditions that are unfamiliar to older generations. These include the consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns, which were found to have a significant adverse impact on students’ mental health. They also can relate to social media and other forms of online information-sharing, which can be used for bullying and exclusionary purposes. Staying abreast of these technologies and how they are used by students is therefore a critical part of taking responsibility as a school social worker.
- Self-care. School counselors are often witness to distressing and upsetting situations that they must take responsibility for to support vulnerable students. This can take an emotional toll on social workers, who may feel that they have no one to turn to themselves. This is why developing self-care strategies is a crucial part of maintaining a strong work ethic and high level of enthusiasm for the job over time, and something any practicing school social worker will recommend to newcomers to the field.
When talking about the challenges that come with school social work, it’s important to acknowledge that these burdens are in service to the great rewards of the job, such as belonging to a community, supporting young people in need, and facilitating important discussions about critical issues that might otherwise go unaddressed on campus. These things all keep school social workers invested in their careers in the long term, allowing them to face challenges head on and thrive in their professional lives.
Becoming a School Social Worker in Texas: Requirements and Timelines
School social workers in Texas are subject to all of the same requirements in place for other types of social workers. This means that one must hold an MSW degree from an accredited institution and obtain the relevant social work license for your intended profession.
In Texas, there are numerous excellent and affordable Master of Social Work programs, with flexible delivery models and schedules to accommodate any student’s needs.
These include online school options and part-time scheduling so that students who need to work or balance school with family responsibilities can pursue their degrees in a way that is manageable and sustainable. To learn more about the top MSW programs in Texas, visit our guide. Those looking for the most affordable MSW program options can find our directory of low-cost MSWs here.
Most school social workers choose to pursue Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certification, as this is the form of license that allows social workers to provide clinical services like counseling and therapy. Since school counselors frequently work one-on-one with students to provide mental health services, this is an excellent choice for those who wish to enter the field. To learn more about licensing requirements in Texas, visit our guide here.
School Social Worker Salary
In the state of Texas, child, family, and school social workers earn a mean annual salary of $49,810 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also reports that the state is one of the largest employers of school social workers in the nation, ranking among the top five in the country.
It’s worth noting that while the BLS does not provide average salaries by institution within each state’s recorded data, their findings at the national level may be instructive for aspiring school social workers. The BLS reports that social workers employed in elementary and high schools nationwide take home a mean annual salary of $67,990, considerably higher than the Texas state average across employers.
Finally, it’s worth noting that seniority will be a significant factor in the salary you are able to command as a school social worker. By investing in a long-term career, you’ll pave the way to earning an above-average wage as a school social worker, allowing you to support young people while investing in a high quality of life.
All figures taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2022 report, accessed March 2024.
FAQs
What does a school social worker do?
A school social worker can play a variety of roles within a school environment, from providing one-on-one counseling to students in need to developing campus-wide educational program to address widespread issues in the community. They typically work with students, teachers, families, and administrators, making use of their unique role to earn students’ trust and provide support in a way that is sensitive and responsible.
Do I need an MSW to become a school social worker?
Yes. In the state of Texas it is not possible to receive a social work license without first holding an MSW degree. Schools will therefore expect you to have completed an MSW program – as well as to have obtained your social work license – in order to qualify for school social worker positions.
What can an LCSW do in a school context?
Many school social workers are LCSWs, as this is the license level for social workers that allows you to perform clinical services (i.e. counseling and therapy) to individuals. With an LCSW, you are qualified for the role of school counselor, performing interventions and working with students in the long term to address and overcome key mental health challenges.
Do I need an education degree to become a school social worker?
No. While teachers and some administrative roles at schools require professionals to hold advanced degrees in education, school social workers need only hold MSW degrees. If you are pursuing a concentration in school social work, you can expect your education to encompass everything you need to know to take on the responsibilities of a care provider within a school setting.