School Social Work Staff
OCDSB School Social Workers are regulated mental health professionals who hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work and are registered with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. School Social Workers also act as Attendance Counsellors for compulsory school-aged children in the Ottawa Carleton District School Board.
School social work is informed by a systems perspective that acknowledges the links between a student’s home, school and community life. School social workers intervene directly with students, parents/guardians/caregivers, and school staff to address a range of social, emotional, and mental health issues affecting school performance. School social workers aim to provide culturally responsive and identity affirming care. Identity specific supports are available to support students and families from the 2SLGBTQ+, Black and Indigenous communities.
Within a tiered framework of intervention, School Social Workers offer a broad range of services that may include:
- Advocacy
- Attendance Counselling and re-engagement in school as mandated in the Ontario Education Act and Regulations
- Capacity building for staff
- Consultation with students, families, staff, and community agencies
- Crisis intervention
- Direct counselling with students & families
- Liaison with community professionals
- Referral to community resources (acts as a system navigator for families when appropriate)
- Social History
- Support to students, families and school staff in the aftermath of tragic events
School social workers may become involved when any of the following issues are impeding school success.
- Attendance
- Behavior
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Material needs (ie food, clothing, etc)
- Mental health concerns
- Parent-child conflict
- Peer issues
- Self esteem
- Self injurious behavior
- Sexuality and sexual health
- Stress management
- Separation/Divorce
- Suicidal thoughts & behavior
- Trauma
To discuss access to a school social worker, please reach out to the principal, vice principal, teacher, or guidance counsellor at your child’s school.
If you have further questions regarding school social work services, you may contact the Supervisor of Social Work at 613-596-8211 ext 8131.
Itinerant Educational Assistants - Mental Health Team
Itinerant educational assistants (IEAs) are educational assistants with specialized training and expertise in working with students with social, emotional, behavioral and developmental challenges. Many are trained child and youth workers with a wealth of experience working in specialized program classes and community agencies.
Itinerant Educational Assistants on the mental health team focus on supporting children and youth within the context of their school life with a focus on social and emotional learning. Working in collaboration with other multi-disciplinary team members and school staff, the IEAs support the theory that students do well if they can and focus on building skills such as flexibility, problem solving skills, stress management, and frustration tolerance.
Within a tiered framework of intervention, Itinerant Education Assistants offer a broad range of services that may include:
- Classroom observation
- Consultation with school teams
- Counselling support for students with organization, stress management,goal setting, social skills and assistance with school re-engagement
- Direct service to students exhibiting stress behaviour, including the development of behavior support plans and transition plans
- Guide the development of student behavior plans (Safety Plans, Safe Plans, and Behaviour Management Plans);
- Small group and classwide interventions related to the development of mental health literacy, restorative practices, stress management/coping skills, and pathways to care
- Staff coaching and professional development related to social emotional learning and promoting positive student behavior;
- Support for students returning from Education and Community Partnership Programs
IEAs may become involved when any of the following issues are impeding school success.
- Behavior
- Bullying
- Executive functioning challenges
- Mental health concerns
- Peer issues
- Self esteem
- Social skills
- Stress management
To discuss access to the itinerant educational assistants, please reach out to the principal, vice principal, teacher, or guidance counsellor at your child’s school.
If you have further questions regarding the role of the Itinerant Educational Assistants, Mental Health Team, you may contact the Mental Health Lead at 613-596-8211 ext 8136.
School Psychology Staff
OCDSB School Psychology staff are Registered Health Professionals with extensive training in both child and adolescent development, learning styles and processes, behaviour, motivation, counselling and effective teaching.School psychology staff aim to provide culturally responsive and identity affirming care.They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychology staff partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.
OCDSB Psychology staff are either Psychologists, Psychological Associates or Psychoeducational Consultants.
Psychologists
- Have a Doctoral Degree in the field of Psychology, or have a Master’s Degree in the field of Psychology and are registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario as a Psychologist.
- Are registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario
Psychological Associates
- Have a Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in the field of Psychology
- Are registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario
Psychoeducational Consultants
- Have a Master’s (or equivalent) or Doctoral Degree in the field of Psychology
- Are eligible for registration with the College of Psychologists
- Are in the process of accumulating supervised practice in Psychology required for registration.
- Receive supervision by a member of the College of Psychologists
Within a tiered framework of intervention, School Psychology Staff offer a broad range of services that may include:
- Advocacy
- Psycho-Educational Assessment
- Consultation with students, families, staff, and community agencies
- Crisis intervention
- Capacity building for staff
- Direct counselling with students & families
- Liaison with community professionals
- Referral to community resources
- Support to students, families and school staff in the aftermath of tragic events
School psychology staff may become involved when any of the following issues are impeding school success.
- Behavior
- Bullying
- Learning challenges
- Mental health concerns
- Parent-child conflict
- Peer issues
- Self esteem
- Self injurious behavior
- Sexuality and sexual health
- Stress management
- Suicidal thoughts & behavior
- Trauma
To discuss access to school psychology staff, please reach out to the principal, vice principal, teacher, or guidance counsellor at your child’s school.
If you have further questions regarding school psychology services, you may contact the Supervisor of Psychological Services at 613-596-8211 ext 8648.