Social Worker

Catholic schools are underpinned by gospel values, one of which is to care for the whole person.  As part of the school’s commitment to pastoral care, Good Shepherd Catholic School has a social worker on staff.  When children are being affected by social, emotional or family issues they are not able to take full advantage of learning opportunities.  It is the social worker’s role to address these barriers so that the child remains connected with school and engaged in learning.  By promoting the child’s wellbeing, the social worker assists students to realise their full potential through learning.

The school social worker provides interventions regarding a wide range of issues including:

· Mental health
· Grief and loss
· Family separation and change
· Child abuse and neglect
· Bullying and anti-social behaviours
· Non-attendance and school refusal
· Family violence

The social worker is also able to assist families to access services that are available in the wider community.  She can offer referral and advocacy with relevant systems of care including health, mental health, housing, parenting, child protection and clinical psychology.  There may be times when the social worker will respond to a need by suggesting a referral to an outside service rather than personally intervening with families and individual students.

For many issues the classroom teacher is the best person to approach in the first instance.  If the matter remains unresolved or is sensitive in nature, the social worker will contact you if you send a request to admin@gsl.wa.edu.au

The school social worker is tertiary qualified and a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. We are grateful to the National School Chaplaincy Program for funds which help to support this position.