Tomorrow Trust is inviting applications for the position of School Based Social Worker at Mseki Primary School in the Western Cape. This opportunity is suited for qualified and passionate social workers who are committed to supporting vulnerable learners and strengthening learner wellbeing within the school environment.
The organisation continues to play a meaningful role in educational and psychosocial development across South Africa through programmes focused on youth empowerment, learner support, and community development. The School Based Social Worker role forms part of a broader effort to ensure that learners receive emotional, behavioural, and social support that contributes to improved academic participation and personal development.
Position Overview
- Position: School Based Social Worker
- Location: Mseki Primary School, Western Cape
- Closing Date: 22 May 2026
- Application Method: [email protected]
The successful candidate will provide psychosocial support to learners while working closely with educators, parents, caregivers, and the School-Based Support Team (SBST). The role requires strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to work with learners facing difficult social and family circumstances.
About the Role
The School Based Social Worker will be responsible for addressing social, emotional, behavioural, and family-related challenges affecting learners within the school community. The position aims to strengthen learner wellbeing while improving school attendance, classroom participation, and relationships between schools, families, and community support systems.
This role requires a compassionate and professional individual who can manage sensitive learner matters while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards. Experience in psychosocial support and case management within youth or educational environments will be highly beneficial.
The successful applicant will become part of a learner-centred support structure designed to create safe and supportive educational spaces for children facing personal or social challenges.
Main Responsibilities
Learner Support
One of the key functions of this position involves direct learner support. The appointed social worker will conduct both individual and group support sessions for learners experiencing emotional, behavioural, or social difficulties.
Support may include assisting learners with:
- Emotional regulation
- Behaviour management
- Conflict resolution
- Coping strategies
- Social interaction challenges
- Family-related stress
- Peer relationship difficulties
The role also includes conducting assessments and developing intervention plans where necessary. Learners requiring additional support will receive structured guidance aimed at improving emotional wellbeing and school engagement.
The social worker will play an important role in identifying early warning signs of emotional distress, absenteeism, bullying, neglect, or behavioural difficulties affecting learner development.
Case Management
The School Based Social Worker will manage learner case files and ensure all records remain confidential and professionally maintained.
Case management responsibilities include:
- Maintaining detailed learner reports
- Monitoring interventions and progress
- Conducting follow-up assessments
- Coordinating support strategies
- Referring learners and families to external service providers where necessary
The role requires careful documentation and ongoing communication with relevant stakeholders involved in learner support processes.
Strong organisational skills will be essential, particularly when handling multiple learner cases simultaneously while ensuring ethical standards are maintained.
School-Based Support Team Collaboration
The successful candidate will work closely with the School-Based Support Team (SBST) to identify learners requiring additional support and to develop intervention strategies.
Responsibilities within the SBST environment include:
- Attending regular support meetings
- Providing professional social work input
- Assisting with support plans for learners
- Contributing to multidisciplinary discussions
- Supporting educator understanding of learner challenges
Collaboration between educators, social workers, parents, and community services is an important part of creating effective learner support systems. The position therefore requires a strong team-oriented approach.
Parent and Community Engagement
Parent and caregiver involvement remains a critical component of learner wellbeing. The appointed social worker will facilitate communication between the school and families to strengthen support for learners.
Key duties include:
- Conducting parent consultations
- Facilitating family support discussions
- Arranging meetings where learner concerns arise
- Conducting home visits when necessary
- Assessing home and family circumstances
- Building stronger school-home communication channels
The role requires sensitivity, professionalism, and cultural awareness when engaging with families from different backgrounds and circumstances.
Home visits may be conducted where additional insight into learner circumstances is required to improve intervention outcomes and family support systems.
School Wellbeing Programmes
The social worker will assist in promoting positive behaviour and learner wellbeing through awareness initiatives and educational programmes within the school.
Topics may include:
- Bullying prevention
- Child protection awareness
- Mental health education
- Substance abuse awareness
- Positive behaviour management
- Emotional wellbeing support
These programmes are intended to create safer learning environments while encouraging healthy social development among learners.
The successful candidate should therefore be comfortable facilitating presentations, discussions, workshops, and group awareness activities within a school environment.
Administration and Reporting
Accurate reporting and documentation form an essential part of the position. The School Based Social Worker will be expected to maintain organised records and submit reports to school management and relevant stakeholders.
Responsibilities include:
- Maintaining intervention documentation
- Updating learner support records
- Preparing progress reports
- Ensuring confidentiality
- Following ethical reporting standards
- Monitoring support outcomes
Attention to detail and strong administrative abilities will support effective case management and communication processes.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants interested in this opportunity must meet the following requirements:
- Formal qualification in Social Work (Degree or equivalent)
- Active registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)
- Experience in psychosocial support and case management
- Previous exposure to school or youth environments
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work with vulnerable learners and families
- Commitment to social justice, compassion, and learner development
Candidates with experience working in educational support structures or community-based youth programmes may have an advantage.
Skills and Qualities Required
The role requires a dedicated and empathetic professional capable of handling sensitive situations involving learners and families.
Important qualities include:
- Emotional intelligence
- Professional ethics
- Compassionate communication
- Problem-solving ability
- Conflict management skills
- Organisational skills
- Team collaboration
- Cultural sensitivity
- Confidentiality management
The ability to build trust with learners, educators, and parents will be essential for success in this position.
Why This Opportunity Matters
School-based social work continues to play an increasingly important role within South African education systems. Many learners face social and emotional challenges that affect classroom participation, attendance, behaviour, and academic performance.
Through targeted psychosocial support, social workers contribute to healthier school environments and improved learner outcomes. This position provides an opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact on the lives of learners requiring guidance, protection, and support.
Professionals passionate about child development, social justice, and educational support may find this role both meaningful and rewarding.
Application Process
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit the following documents:
- Updated CV
- Required supporting documents
- One-page cover letter
- Brief motivation outlining interest in joining the organisation
Applications must be submitted via email.
Application Email
School Based Social Worker Application
Interested candidates should submit an updated CV and a 1-page cover letter outlining their qualifications, experience, and interest in the position by email to [email protected] using the subject line “School Based Social Worker Application” before the closing date of 22 May 2026.