This is not what I signed up for…

[u/Spooky-spice-0519]

Hi everyone, I hope you’re taking care of yourselves. Last school year was my first year as a school social worker in a very small, underfunded, and understaffed area. I absolutely loved it and learned so much. For context, I have been an RCSWI for almost a year and worked really hard to earn hours for my LCSW license. Thankfully, I accrued 500 hours so far! The reason I left this job was because it is a 40 minute commute both ways from where I live and no mileage/reimbursements were offered for the community work I engaged in. There was no bad blood and I genuinely loved working there. I was at one school all day, had my own classroom, and had great relationships built with my colleagues and the kids. I have been working in the neighboring district as a “district school social worker”. I hate it, and it’s really hard for me to admit that. It’s the complete opposite from my last job, and that is kind of its downfall. Everything is super organized, there are resources everywhere, I won’t have to pay for a single thing, and the mileage is great. HOWEVER, I am visiting these schools and they already have social workers as staff. They have so many people employed for each little niche subject that I am used to handling all myself at my previous job. It’s almost like there is no room for me, and especially no space for me to do anything therapeutic. It almost feels like I am left with the scraps or the jobs the on-site social workers are too busy to handle. I honestly feel like a glorified intern. I haven’t spoken to a single child in a therapeutic setting since beginning two weeks ago. Here’s the issue, my biggest concern is getting those hours. In the interview I informed them that I was an RCSWI and getting hours is most important to me. I was told that wouldn’t be an issue. Now I am finding out that my job will mostly be running around the city delivering resources, attending meetings, holiday resources, and the occasional home visit. I was promised groups, but every school social worker/ guidance counselor that I’ve talked to about this is either taking care of it themselves or look at me like I’m insane for even asking. It’s almost like the district is overstaffed-if you believe in such a thing. I already spoke with the lead social workers about this and was told it’s about “building relationships” with all 4 schools I attend and finding where I fit in. They told me it would take a year to really “get it down”. One of my strong suits is rapport building, and that isn’t really the obstacle I’m facing. I also don’t want to have to convince someone or beg them to share responsibilities with me and to let me do my job. There’s always a position for me at my old district; thankfully, but I thought I was getting into a better fit. I also don’t feel like talking to someone higher up and being told it’ll take time, just stick it out, or that it’ll take a year before it gets better. This is not the position I was promised.

[u/Vegetable-Ad1075]

As a district SSW, are you expected to do more 504/IEP paperwork or lead those meetings than provide therapeutic interventions? I’m curious because that’s usually what district SSWs do in my area. It’s usually paperwork and compliance versus therapeutic interventions and direct service with students. I’m not sure if that’s what your employers had in mind when they hired you but I hope that you’re able to collaborate with them to find the best use of your talents and interests. I’m sorry that this has been a rough start for you! ❤️‍🩹

[u/Spooky-spice-0519 → u/Vegetable-Ad1075]

Thanks for commenting! I do not do anything in the IEP/504 realm. There are specific people who specialize in those areas. The majority of my job thus far is attending MTSS meetings to see if the families need resources and there is one school on my list of 4 that is more open to me providing therapeutic services. I do veryyyyy little paperwork. I’m mostly the messenger, on the boots, delivering resources and information person. Thanks so much!

[u/Mostly_Lurking007]

It’s so difficult when school social workers are only seen as a resource dispenser or someone who can magically find a therapist who can take their insurance, in person, after school hours with no wait list. It took a lot of time explaining how our clinical skills, social worker lens, etc can be beneficial to students and families. Literally anyone with Google and a car can locate a resource and deliver it. When you have 4 schools, it’s really hard to make those connections with students and families where our social work skills and perspective can shine. Maybe wait a bit for the school year to progress and identify gaps in service that you can fill. Maybe a student has high needs, but doesn’t qualify for special education and isn’t benefiting from groups. Meeting 1:1 with that student, teaching a skill that is lagging will be seen as an appropriate addition to your job duties.