Improving the Support System for School Social Workers:A Focus on the Role of the Lead (Chief) School Social Worker

Abstract

If school social workers are to function effectively at the local school level, a supervision and training system is an important necessity. However, currently, this system is not functioning at a sufficient level. Given this situation, progressive local governments have begun to assign lead (chief) school social workers to replace and/or complement school social work supervisors. In this study, a questionnaire survey (including follow-up interviews) of these progressive local governments (7 locations in 6 municipalities) was conducted in order to fully understand the current situation and unresolved issues concerning the implementation of lead school social workers.

The results of the survey clarified the following points regarding the role of the lead school social worker: they provide advice and guidance to school social workers on an individual and group basis, serve as a link between the education and social welfare systems, function as an advocate for change, plan necessary training, and coordinate with the school social worker supervisors. Furthermore, the results suggested that improving terms of employment (salary, full-time status, etc.) as well as requiring the board of education to implement a training system are necessary steps towards the implementation of lead school social workers in other local school systems.