SCHOOL BASED SOCIAL WORKER
Responsible to: Senior Leadership team
Contract: 3-year contract
Hours: Full-time 36 hours per week
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000
*Negotiable depending on proven skills and ability
Start date: As soon as possible
Make a Lasting Difference at Orchardside School.
Are you an experienced, compassionate, and highly skilled Social Worker looking for an opportunity to make a real impact where it's needed most?
Orchardside School (Pupil Referral Unit) is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join our dedicated team and play a pivotal role in supporting some of our most vulnerable pupils and their families.
This is far more than a traditional social work role. Working at the heart of our school community, you will collaborate closely with pupils, families, school staff, and partner agencies to safeguard children, promote wellbeing, and help overcome barriers to learning. Your expertise will empower young people to feel supported, valued, and able to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
Orchardside has a proven track record of exceptional leadership, inclusive and partnership work which can be seen in our most recent Ofsted HERE
Why This Role Is Unique:
- Be part of an innovative and forward-thinking school environment.
- Benefit from enhanced partnership working with our Local Authority Social Care team, receiving support, supervision and professional development from the partnership
- Join our specialist Taskforce, delivering targeted support to children and families.
- Make a visible difference to children's lives through early intervention and collaborative practice.
- Help shape and develop a pioneering model of support within a Pupil Referral Unit.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a passionate practitioner who wants to work creatively, build strong relationships, and be at the forefront of improving outcomes for our pupils.
If this sounds like the job for you, we would love to hear from you. Do not hesitate to contact us for a visit or an informal discussion over the phone.
For the Job description, please click ‘here’.
For the Person specification, please click ‘here’.
If you need further information, please contact Androulla Theodorou, School Business Manager on 0208 353 4270 or androulla.theodorou@orchardside.school.
To apply, please click on the ‘Apply now’ button below.
Please note, that you will need to provide an explanation for any gaps in your employment history on the application form.
CLOSING DATE: Friday 13TH November 2026
INTERVIEWS: Week beginning 16th November 2026
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Commitment
Orchardside School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, online searches in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, and other pre-employment checks. We are committed to safer recruitment practices and to creating a culture of vigilance and safeguarding throughout the school.
Please note CVs are not accepted