Social Worker (Special Needs Education Services)

Primary Objectives of Position:

The Social Worker at AWWA School provides psychosocial support to students with special educational needs and their families to promote their well-being, inclusion, and holistic development. The role focuses on strengthening the school–home–community partnership through preventive, developmental, and intervention-based approaches within a multi-tiered system of support.

Job Responsibilities:

Student and Family Support

• Conduct comprehensive needs and intake assessments to understand students’ developmental, emotional, and family needs.
• Partner with families to enhance parenting skills, coping strategies, and engagement with their child’s education and progress.
• Offer crisis intervention and case management for students experiencing significant psychosocial challenges.

Information & Referral / Pre-admission of client (student)
Provide information & referral service on:

• Educational resources and interventions to facilitate informed decision making for families of clients
• Community help agencies and resources for needy families to receive appropriate interventions

Admissions Support

• Assist in the student admissions process by conducting family interviews, reviewing social histories, and assessing student readiness.
• Assist with onboarding and transitioning families into the school community.

Financial Assistance Coordination

• Identify students needing financial aid and guide families through the application process.
• Prepare social reports, ensure documentation is complete, and coordinate with relevant departments to ensure timely and accurate submission of applications.
• Monitor and evaluate the ongoing needs of students, and advocate for continued or adjusted support as needed.

Casework & Counselling

• Assessment of needs and formulation of intervention plans for families of clients- to facilitate the student’s access to education or disability services
• Case management and liaising with other professionals

Program Development

• Designing and conceptualizing the execution of programs to support training needs of school staff.
• Evaluate and provide insights through analysis of data/ feedback
• Organize parent engagement workshops, support groups, and home–school partnership activities.
• Review protocols for early identification and intervention for at-risk students

School Collaboration and Consultation

• Collaborate with teachers, psychologists, therapists, and allied professionals in developing Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) and Individual Transition Plans (ITPs).
• Share relevant insights with staff while upholding confidentiality and ethical practice.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences, and school-wide planning to ensure coordinated and holistic support for students.

Community and Systems Linkages

• Liaise with external agencies, hospitals, social service offices, and community partners to mobilise resources for families.
• Advocate for students’ needs in areas such as financial support, transport assistance, and inclusion opportunities.
• Ensure timely referrals and follow-ups for families requiring community-based services or assistance schemes.

Professional Practice and Development

• Maintain accurate and confidential case documentation in accordance with AWWA and MSF standards.
• Uphold professional ethics and confidentiality under the Social Work Code of Practice.
• Engage in supervision, training, and continuous professional development to enhance competencies in special education social work.

Administrative Functions

• Assisting the Head of Department through timely provision of information and data compilation for report and/or statistical submissions to funding agencies
• Assist in monitoring and analysis of statistics, trends and needs of clients

Other Responsibilities

• Providing support to School/ AWWA wide events
• Providing guidance to social work assistants
• Providing guidance to new department staff and/or social work field placement students
• Undertake any other duties as directed by Head of Department, Principal, CEO or management

The above activities are by no means exhaustive and are subjected to amendment whenever is needed.

Job Specifications:

Minimum Education / Qualifications

• For Social Worker position: Degree in Social Work
• For Social Service Practitioner: Post graduate diploma in Social Work
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW).
• Knowledge of social work ethics, case management frameworks, and relevant legislation (e.g., Children and Young Persons Act, PDPA).

Minimum Years of Relevant Experience

• 1 to 2 years of experience in a social work setting

Knowledge/Skills

• Understanding of the special education landscape in Singapore and familiarity with IEP and ITP processes
• Competent in BPSS assessment, case management, and intervention planning (including mitigating risks at client’s level) & practice evaluation
• Strong communication and counselling skills with children, parents, and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries in line with SASW Code of Ethics
• Ability to draw and apply relevant theories in direct case work for appropriate intervention/ care plans
• Ability to identify, profile and prioritize clients based on needs evaluation
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint and capable of maintaining clear case documentation and reports.
• Fluent in English and conversational proficiency in mother tongue

Attributes (functional or leadership competencies)

• Empathetic, patient, and culturally sensitive when working with children and families from diverse backgrounds
• Self-motivated with good organisational and time management skills.
• Collaborative, team-oriented, and able to contribute constructively to multidisciplinary discussions.
• Reflective practitioner committed to continuous learning and professional growth.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced school environment.
• A sense of ownership and accountability to ensure tasks, department objectives are carried out according to the standards set by the organization and be responsible for the results.