School Social Worker

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

O*NET definition of Child, Family, and School Social Workers (SOC 21-1021) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Child, Family, and School Social Workers (SOC 21-1021) naming each level as required to be hired, 23 respondents, O*NET survey August 2018. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Social workers typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in social work. They also may need a license; specific requirements vary by state.

Clinical social workers need a master's degree, supervised clinical experience, and a license from the state in which they practice.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Social Workers”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

1. Maintain case history records and prepare reports.4.6
2. Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.4.5
3. Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.4.4
4. Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.4.3
5. Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.4.2
6. Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required.4.2
7. Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.4.2
8. Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.4.2
9. Refer clients to community resources for services, such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply.4.0
10. Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child care, or medical care.4.0

The 10 most important of 12 core tasks for Child, Family, and School Social Workers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2018.

13,321 school districts in the registry. Regular public school districts in the NCES Common Core of Data (charter-only districts are not included). The 10 largest by teachers (fte):

Full lists by state: