Adopted by the IASSW Board of Directors on July 8, 1989

School social work services should be provided by qualified school social workers employed by local school districts or special education cooperatives. Contractual arrangements with non-school social workers should be entered into only to provide specified services in extraordinary circumstances for limited periods of time. In every case involving contractual services, the worker employed should meet all qualifications for school social workers. These include possession of the MSW degree, a Type 73 certificate endorsed for school social work, and applicable state licensure. Contractual services should be used only to comply with Federal or State mandates when the number of employed staff is inadequate and only until a sufficient number of qualified staff can be employed to provide the necessary services.

School social workers employed by the local education agency are more effective in providing service than contractual workers. They are familiar with the educational system and have established working relationships with other staff members, students and families. They can provide continuity from evaluation to delivery of services, thus benefiting students, families and school staff members. In situations where contractual services must be arranged, it is important that there be a clear understanding between the contractual worker and the local education agency on issues of mandated services, liability and supervision.

Therefore, except in extraordinary circumstances, IASSW advocates the provision of school social work services by school social workers employed directly by local education agencies or special educational cooperatives.

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All rights reserved.

Updated on: September 22, 2009