Senior Social Worker

Employer: Grace Orchard School

Job Summary:

The Senior Social Worker, under the supervision of the Head of Department (Allied Professionals), is a key member of the school’s AP Department. He / She will assist in the management of the social work team, as well as the in mentoring and supervising the junior allied professionals. He / She works via an inter-disciplinary model with fellow allied professionals, teaching staff and parents / caregivers, and is responsible in providing support services and intervention to benefit students with Mild Intellectual Disability, as well as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their families. He / She will maintain professional relationships with students and their families, acting as a guide, advocate and/or supporter so that they are able to help themselves. He / She will participate in case consultations and provide relevant support services to benefit students and their families. The standard of professional practice will be ethical and delivered with due consideration to the relevant legislation and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide financial assistance services to needy students in accordance with the school’s financial assistance scheme policies.
• Facilitate the development of appropriate and effective tools for identification, assessment, intervention of students.
• Conduct family and social assessment of students’ needs when necessary.
• Conduct home visits when necessary.
• Formulate and implement individual / group intervention programmes for students.
• Involve in the school’s interdisciplinary process of Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Individual Transition Plan (ITP).
• Provide intervention for students on a one-to-one basis, group, class, work experience or special setting based on the needs of the students.
• Evaluate and document students’ intervention needs and progress regularly and review the effectiveness of the intervention.
• Provide consultation and update students’ status to the relevant staff members and caregivers.
• Work in collaboration with teaching/non-teaching staff and caregivers in addressing the needs of the students effectively.
• Work with external agencies e.g., hospitals, external allied professionals in addressing the needs of the students effectively.
• Maintain and update students’ relevant documentation records and reports.
• Conduct family interviews for Placement Assessment Screening (PAS) and co-ordinate with AP staff to support placement and transition for new admission.
• Provide crisis intervention support in line with the school policies, including recommendations for financial assistance and supporting child protection cases.
• Conduct relevant in-house training for school staff, parents and caregivers e.g., workshops, professional learning sessions etc.
• Recruit, train and co-ordinate volunteers for enhancement of the school’s services and programmes.
• Assist in the development and review of department structures, processes and related policies in conjunction with the management.
• Assist in the development and management of the budget for the department.
• Assist in the stock-take and control of inventory of the department.
• Work in collaboration with teaching/non-teaching staff in various school committees including school event planning, subject curriculum and school programmes.
• Attend school meetings e.g., staff contact time, department meetings, committee meetings, interdisciplinary meetings, and school holiday staff meetings etc. to keep updated of school matters and planning.
• Attend internal and external trainings e.g., professional learning teams to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments to develop and maintain skills that increase effectiveness.
• Perform other duties and be involved in committee work as assigned by the school management.

Requirement

• Bachelor Degree in Social Work or Graduate Diploma in Social Work.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in social service sector.
• Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Singapore Association of Social Workers is preferred.
• Good communication & interpersonal skills
• Reliable, responsible and show high level initiative