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Position Title: Social Worker

Department: UCAN Academy and High School

Reports to: Clinical Director

About the Program:

Comprised of two campuses in the Humboldt Park and Auburn-Gresham communities, the UCAN Academy is an innovative kindergarten - 12th grade, year-round therapeutic day school. Collectively, the multi-accredited schools make up the one of the largest and most recognized therapeutic day school operations in Chicago. Students come from diverse and distinct backgrounds and have experienced difficulties in public or private school settings. Each youth has a unique set of needs that are met through the development and monitoring of their Individualized Education Plan. They are enrolled from Chicago Public Schools and several suburban districts, and many have become discouraged about learning. Our goal is to help them to see schooling in a positive light and to reach their highest potential. Our small class sizes of 10 students with a 5:1 student to staff ratio are geared to small teaching sessions and equipped to meet students' individual learning needs.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Clinical Director, the School Social Worker provides individual and group therapy services to the students The School Social Worker also facilitates healing through Trauma Informed practice and Positive Youth Development while utilizing UCAN's Clinical Philosophy.

Essential Responsibilities:

Assessment and Service Planning

• Performs diagnostic tests and evaluation of students referred for services; interviews students and individuals closely related to students such as family members.
• Evaluates test results; plans IEP goals and therapeutic approaches.
• Effectively applies clinical knowledge to evaluate student situations and needs.
• Develops clear and specific IEP goals for each student based upon his/her individual needs.
• Identifies at-risk students and behaviors.

Therapeutic Intervention

• Effectively conducts appropriate social work minutes in a timely manner.
• Successfully engages and develops rapport with a wide range of students.
• Utilizes clinical knowledge and skills to provide appropriate and effective therapies.
• Structures therapy sessions in accordance with IEP goals.
• Creates a therapeutic environment by providing adequate, varied, culturally competent and developmentally appropriate activities/materials.
• Maintains consistency and safety throughout the session.

Planning and Organization

• Plans time effectively and efficiently to meet all job commitments.
• Keeps information organized as to quickly respond to information requests about their students.
• Organizes caseload to meet expected level of IEP service minutes on a monthly basis.
• Effectively balances multiple responsibilities.
• Obtains and evaluates information necessary to implement student services.
• Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding students.

Building Relationships and Networks

• Consults with supervisor, other Social Workers and school staff on details of cases and Individual Education Plans.
• Contacts other social service agencies, schools, hospitals, courts and public mental health organizations; makes referrals or obtains case-related information on an as needed basis with proper consents.
• Contacts caseworkers assigned to student or student's family; discusses progress of case; obtains case-related information if applicable.
• Works effectively with other team members in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other social service agencies, schools, courts, etc.
• Provides timely information to teachers, probation officers, parents/guardians, and others as needed.
• Regularly consults with parents and guardians regarding student progress.
• Actively listens to others and their points of view and treats others with sensitivity.

Documentation and Reporting

• Notifies principals and supervisor of critical incidents, problems, concerns, and needs in a timely manner.
• Clearly documents actions taken in a timely manner and in a format consistent with IEP requirements.
• Completes all documentation, reports and correspondence in a timely manner.
• Concisely and professionally writes clinical documentation and reports that accurately reflect clinical interventions and progress made towards IEP goals.
• Delivers written information to appropriate parties.
• Maintains accurate, complete and timely student records as required by Chicago Public Schools and UCAN.
• Enters updates and maintains accurate data in Max Capture and Infinite Campus as required.
• Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by UCAN or by mandated reporting law.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Understands and supports UCAN's standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it.
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, DCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• MSW required.
• Must have one of the following:
  • PEL in School Social Work Certification (preferred).
  • LSW/LCSW.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Has an understanding of trauma-informed practice.
• Has an understanding of Positive Youth Development.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Ability to work both independently and a part of a high functioning team.
• Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing.