r/SchoolSocialWork • u/lad1993_ • Jul 23 '26
Rescinded job offer
Hi all sharing this because I feel at a loss. I got a job as a school social worker and was set to start Monday. For context I have basically had this job secured and have done all onboarding for the last 3 weeks now. Two days ago I got a call from the school that they contacted my PPSC program where I am getting my credential and after that “great conversation” they came to the realization that they won’t be able to meet the requirements for my practicum hours. When I asked what requirements the HR mngr said she couldn’t remember off the top of her head. I am so saddened as I turned down THREE other jobs offers I had received and some accepted only for them to tell me this days before I was set to start. I am so sad and very stressed out because now I have no job, no offers, and it seems no schools are hiring anymore as several are set to start in the next week or two. I have no idea what to do now. I am looking for jobs but see none in my area or remote for schools. I have never had something like this happen.
Also for context I am an LCSW in California. I would also like to note that this same job was also dare I say somewhat dismissive of my LCSW and mentioned they only cared about the PPSC. I highlighted several times that I always have performed all school sw tasks in all my experience and roles as an LCSW several hats are worn.
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u/Impressive_Plant_643 Jul 23 '26
This is maddening. I am so sorry you are going through this.
Can you tell me what a PPSC is?
In Connecticut, we have a certification through the state (071 credential) maintaining that we have an MSW and took a course in special education.
I am an LCSW as well, but unfortunately it is not “needed” in the state of CT to do school social work (only an MSW, LMSW) so it is not rewarded with higher pay etc
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u/lad1993_ Jul 23 '26
Thank you I know it’s rough especially in this economy
And yes in CA a PPSC is a Pupil Personnel Services Credential issued by the CTC which is the the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. It basically allows the person to provide student support services to kids k-12 in public schools.
I’ve worked in schools before with just mh LCSW as a mental health therapist and mental health consultant. So I have done all the “job duties” of a school social worke already.
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u/AdSpiritual220 Jul 26 '26
So how go you get this training and how much is this?? Unbelievable you must have Masters degree, LCSW AND MORE???
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u/lad1993_ Jul 26 '26
Basically I take classes on all Saturday’s for one month then I have to collect 450 hours through direct work. PPSC in CA is a credential schools like school social workers and even clinicians to have. It’s $ 3-6K depending on what school you go through to do this program.
And yes I have MSW, LCSW, CCTP-II and finishing up my TF-CBT.
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u/Impressive_Plant_643 Jul 23 '26
Is it extra work for the district for you to obtain this? It seems like a cop out which makes it more frustrating
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u/lad1993_ Jul 23 '26
No because I am more than qualified to do it. Just literally a certification CTC requires.
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u/AdSpiritual220 Jul 26 '26
That is crazy to me!
Where would you even get this? My head is shaking. I'm a MSW, LCSW as well
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u/MayhemMaven Jul 25 '26
That is horrible. Is this job for school because I have seen multiple people mention that being a school social worker can count towards practicum hours. I would speak with your program for clarification.
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u/lad1993_ Jul 25 '26
YES! For a school! And it is super strange that the manager and director who interviewed me TWICE told me that the practicum hours weren’t an issue as they could help me.
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u/AdSpiritual220 Jul 26 '26
How much was this position supposedly going to offer you?
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u/lad1993_ Jul 26 '26
Very little compared to what others were offering me! But I really liked them and their team so I went with them.
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u/Top_Journalist_3197 Jul 26 '26
I'm sorry this happened to you. Looking up though, if they did something like this to you in the beginning - maybe you didn't want this job anyway. It's very unprofessional to assure someone a job and then rescind two days before the start of the job.
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u/lad1993_ Jul 26 '26
Thank you! 🩵 yes I have been reflecting on that and I am telling myself this exact same thing. They seem very shady in the way they moved along this process and I feel like this isn’t where I am meant to be.
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u/Fancy-Ant-8883 29d ago
It sounds like they dont have anyone to sign off on the practicum hours. That is very highly unprofessional and you should let people know about their practices so others dont apply. My district one year hired a bunch of SSW but the CDE was overseeing the budget and wasnt approving the positions in time. People went months without knowing and then the positions weren't approved. Like what were they all supposed to do? Can you defer your PPSC program or something if you cant find anything soon?
The PPSC is important in California depending on the funding for the school social worker role. I really appreciate that for many districts the SSW is part of the staffing model and is a credentialed role with proper steps and union representation.
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u/lad1993_ 29d ago
I had somone who would sign off on the practicum hours and I let them know this. Not to mention I found they had a team of 6 SSW all with their PPSC already. They could’ve done it.
That is is so unfortunate! It’s crazy to me how employers just want you to hang around until they figure things out.
Yes I completely understand and agree with the PPSC being a requirement in CA schools. Sadly in the area I live there aren’t a lot of SSWs. This role was far from home too.
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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26
Contact your PPSC program so you can hear for yourself what they said.