Guidelines for relating to Administrators

We asked our interviewees for tips on how school social workers can establish a good relationship with their administrators.

Featured Dilemma:

Social workers want to establish a good working relationship with thier administrators. How can they go about this?

As a new school social worker,   how could I help you accomplish your goals?

Alan and Mike stressed the importance of confidentiality, documentation and staff modeling life-long learning, while Joan emphasized honesty, loyalty and dependability.    Communication and documentation of school social worker activity is essential. Administrators expect records to show what we have done, why we did it and what the outcome was. A midwestern administrator expressed hope that good documentattion will help justify the need for more school social worker hours.     Because each new class of 7th graders can change the culture of the school, noted a middle school principal, goals are always changing to meet the changing needs of the student body. This supports the contention that we need to embrace change.

In what capacity do you feel a social worker would be most effective in your school?

Administrators want the school social worker to coordinate and actively develop relationships with community agencies and referral agencies.     Alan discussed the development of the school social worker position and his desire to maximize the impact made. (In many schools, the school social worker is in the building only two days per week.) He encourages his school social worker to target those not already receiving services. By having guidance counselors screen referrals for appropriateness, non-special education students can be referred to the school social worker.

The school social worker must appreciate concerns typical of the school environment. For instance, Alan emphasized the need to address attendance policy, teacher evaluation procedures and processes, and student discipline/classroom management. Another frequent topic concerning change is student dress code. Due to changing styles, some administrators want to see dress codes reviewed on an annual basis .     One could tell that Joan was concerned for the young children in grades four and lower because academic grade requirements for eligibility to play sports put extra pressure on them.

What needs most concern you?

Mike emphasized the need for social workers to help students improve their self-esteem and enhance conflict resolution skills. Lois stated that school social workers are needed to serve as a liaison between the student, school, home, and community.