Ottawa Carleton District School Board

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.

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.

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