Senior Social Worker

Senior Social Worker National Online School (NOS)

Location: Based from Wimbledon, London

Start date: September 2026 (or earlier by agreement)

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Social Worker to join our National Online School to provide both strategic and operational leadership as the senior qualified social worker of the school.

National Online School (NOS), the first Department for Education accredited online SEND school, is a growing provision across the UK, currently supporting around 300 pupils nationally and continuing to grow, with a steady intake of new placements requiring careful capacity planning and quality assurance. Many of our young learners, with complex needs, including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs, have experienced significant disruption to their education, including emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

NOS represents a distinctive model of education, combining therapeutic practice with digital delivery to meet the needs of pupils who cannot access traditional settings.

The Role - Senior Social Worker National Online School

The Senior Social Worker is accountable for the consistent management and development of the school's behaviour, attendance (engagement), inclusion and safeguarding processes and procedures within an online environment, while supporting the SLT in wider school improvement.

As a senior leader (SLT), they contribute to the continuous development of the school, ensuring appropriate procedures are in place from a Social Work context, and support a multidisciplinary approach in the effective provision of engaging all pupils in online learning and reaching their full potential.

Key responsibilities:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) & Families and School Together (FAST) provision.
• Behaviour (Online Engagement & Conduct): Promote a positive, inclusive, and respectful online school culture.
• Attendance (Engagement): Oversee tracking, analysis, and reporting of pupil attendance and online engagement.
• Inclusion: Champion inclusive practice within the online school environment.
• Quality Assurance: Monitor and evaluate behaviour, attendance (engagement), inclusion, and safeguarding practices in line with the TCES Quality Assurance Framework.
• Partnerships: Promote effective partnerships with parents/carers, Local Authorities, and external agencies, with a strong emphasis on virtual communication and accessibility.
• Staff Training and Development: Identify staff training needs related to behaviour, engagement, safeguarding, and inclusion in an online environment.

You will be:

• A champion of therapeutic education and advocate for young people, with similar values to ours:
  • Expect the very best from each other; Develop a strong work ethic;
  • Respect and appreciate all difference; Include everyone and exclude no one; Listen to and involve everyone;
  • Never give up on each other!
• An experienced Senior Social Worker with a current UK Registration - Social Work England.

You will bring:

• Strong experience of improving outcomes for pupils with SEND, including autism and SEMH
• Proven leadership of safeguarding in complex or high-risk contexts
• Highly developed digital literacy, with the ability to lead and optimise online learning systems
• A clear track record of delivering strategic improvement with measurable impact
• Experience of embedding inclusive, therapeutic and trauma-informed practice
• High levels of emotional intelligence, professionalism and integrity

Online SEND School

National Online School was established as part of a specialist therapeutic education group and has developed a strong national reputation for supporting pupils with SEND who require a personalised, flexible approach to education.

NOS supports children and young people aged 7 to 19, many of whom have experienced multiple placement breakdowns and extended periods out of education. The provision delivers highly personalised programmes that integrate education, therapy and pastoral support.

Our model combines universal, targeted and intensive therapeutic approaches, enabling pupils to access consistent, high-quality support within their home environment while re-engaging with learning and building long-term success.

In return we offer:

• Competitive salary and terms & conditions.
• An opportunity to join a leading provider of specialist education in one of the most rewarding sectors whilst directly contributing to the positive outcomes for pupils with SEMH and ASC.
• Comprehensive induction process, and excellent CPD opportunities with all staff provided an individual Learning & Development Plan to support career development.
• Regular half termly staff wellbeing days.
• A range of employee support and wellbeing benefits including our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), counselling and contributions towards medical costs and an exclusive rewards platform.
• Gym & Active Health discounts.

To apply:

Please apply by sending through a CV. Shortlisted candidates will need to complete a formal application form as per safer recruitment practices in Education.

NOS are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and expects all staff to share this commitment. The appointment is subject to all relevant checks such as references, medical clearance and a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure.

We are an equal opportunity employer.