Role of School Social Work Interns in the US: Voices from the Field

Abstract

School is a sacred place, a safe place, a learning environment, a space for growth, and a place for children to be socialised to the world around them. Yet, the COVID19 pandemic changes and news of children shot to death at point-blank range, teachers using their bodies to shield children from flying bullets, the need for armed school teachers, principals, and personnel, and the marketing of children’s bulletproof gear and backpacks is changing the roles of schools and their personnel, including school social workers. The purpose of this chapter is to combine literature with the voices of school social work interns in the field. They describe the changing roles of school social work interns, the knowledge foundations which guide their work, and how their ability to collaborate and communicate as a school social work interns help school to navigate changing roles and while providing the best care possible.