Linking statutory child protection/youth justice systems and schools in an Australian context : the useful role of a social worker

This paper introduces and describes aspects of the Social Worker in Mackay Schools (SWIMS) program. Apart from providing some contextual information, such as explaining what is meant by ‘at risk’ and ‘collaboration’, the paper also contributes a discussion of the literature on the field of social workers in schools and interagency collaboration in the field of provision of services to children and families presenting ‘at risk’ – especially as it applies to the Australian context. On the one hand, this discussion is useful in clarifying the unsystematic nature of knowledge relevant to this field. On the other, the discussion highlights the argument that social workers are most often the appropriate professionals to facilitate and coordinate programs of interagency collaboration because they employ holistic approaches to assessing and addressing needs.