School Social Worker - Pastoral Support

Aldar Education; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 100,440 - 156,240; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education is looking for a dedicated School Social Worker for Al Danah Charter School in Abu Dhabi. The role focuses on supporting students' personal, social, emotional, and academic development by collaborating with families and school staff.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor in Social Work, relevant experience, and a Social Worker Licence. This full-time position offers competitive salary and the benefit of working in a supportive and inclusive school environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor in Social Work or Social Services required.
• Two years of experience in youth-related social work.
• Social Worker Licence from the Department of Community Development is required.

Responsibilities

• Support student wellbeing and personal development.
• Conduct assessments of student needs and challenges.
• Maintain accurate attendance records and follow up on absences.

Skills

School social work

Pastoral care

Student wellbeing

Youth social work

Attendance monitoring

Safeguarding support

Child protection

Emotional wellbeing

Mental health support

Family engagement

Education

Bachelor in Social Work or Social Services

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counselling, Youth Development, or related field with relevant experience

Tools

iSAMS

CPOMS

Job description

School Social Worker - Pastoral Support

School Social Worker - Pastoral Support in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a full‑time Education Management opportunity for a qualified social work professional who can support student wellbeing, attendance, safeguarding, behaviour, family engagement, and pastoral care at Al Danah Charter School.

Country: United Arab Emirates | City: Abu Dhabi | Industry: Education Management | Function: Social Service | Job Type: Full‑time | Salary: 9000-14000 (estimated, confirm final offer with employer)

Role Overview

The School Social Worker - Pastoral Support role strengthens the school's ability to support students’ personal, social, emotional, mental, and academic development. Working as part of the wider pastoral team, the role involves assessing student needs, supporting attendance improvement, helping resolve behavioural and emotional challenges, communicating with families, and collaborating with teachers, counsellors, senior leaders, and external agencies. The position contributes directly to a safe, caring, inclusive, and achievement‑focused school culture where students are supported to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the wider pastoral team to support student wellbeing, behaviour, attendance and personal development.
• Build positive relationships with students, parents, teachers, school staff, and community partners.
• Conduct assessments of student needs, challenges, causes of concern, and the impact of difficulties on learning and wellbeing.
• Support students with personal, social, mental, emotional, behavioural, and family‑related concerns.
• Work with parents, teachers, counsellors, and school leaders to create practical support plans for students.
• Help students improve emotional regulation, social skills, behaviour, confidence and readiness for classroom success.
• Provide school‑based support services that respond to student needs in a respectful and professional manner.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow legal requirements related to data protection, student records and safeguarding support.
• Support anti‑bullying prevention measures and provide assistance to students affected by bullying.
• Maintain accurate and updated attendance records for all students using school systems such as iSAMS.
• Track daily absences and lateness, follow up on unexplained absences and prepare regular attendance reports for senior leaders and pastoral teams.
• Communicate promptly and sensitively with families regarding attendance concerns and student welfare matters.
• Support attendance interventions and work with pastoral staff, social workers, and relevant agencies to address persistent absenteeism.
• Contribute to school initiatives that promote good attendance, punctuality and student responsibility.
• Assist in the development of attendance policies, reward systems and strategies that encourage regular attendance.
• Work closely with the School Counsellor to support students’ personal, social, emotional and academic growth.
• Provide support in areas such as conflict resolution, emotional wellbeing, family challenges and student adjustment.
• Identify and raise concerns related to domestic abuse, family difficulties, safeguarding or child protection where appropriate.
• Support the Lower School Assistant Principal and Middle and Senior School Assistant Principal in child protection and safeguarding‑related cases.
• Follow the school’s Behaviour Policy and apply appropriate strategies to support positive student conduct.
• Maintain strong relationships with pupils while exercising appropriate authority and acting decisively when needed.
• Model positive attitudes, values, behaviour, respect and professional conduct expected from students.
• Promote self‑control, independence, responsibility and positive choices among learners.
• Communicate effectively with parents and carers regarding student behaviour, wellbeing, attendance and achievements.
• Use school systems and processes such as iSAMS and CPOMS where appropriate for communication, tracking and safeguarding records.
• Support school events, outings, activities and pastoral initiatives, including occasional evening or weekend activities when required.
• Make a positive contribution to the wider life, values, culture and ethos of Al Danah Charter School.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor in Social Work or Social Services.
• Alternatively, bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counselling, Youth Development, Sociology or a related field with four years of relevant experience.
• Social Worker Licence from the Department of Community Development is required.
• Minimum two years of experience in youth‑related social work.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with students, parents, teachers and school leaders.
• Demonstrable organisational skills with the ability to manage records, reports, interventions and follow‑up actions.
• Strong desire to help others while inspiring respect, trust and confidence.
• High emotional and physical energy to manage a wide range of student and family support matters.
• Knowledge of UAE Ministry of Education and ADEK regulations.
• Experience leading or facilitating CPD is an advantage.
• Ability to work under pressure, solve problems, manage challenging situations and remain resilient.
• Commitment to continuing professional development and reflective practice.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection, student wellbeing, attendance support and behaviour intervention.
• Ability to work cooperatively with pastoral teams, counsellors, curriculum support staff, families and external agencies.
• Genuine appreciation of the values, culture and expectations of the region.
• Commitment to Al Danah Charter School’s mission, vision, values and student‑centred approach.

Skills Set

• School social work
• Pastoral care
• Student wellbeing
• Youth social work
• Attendance monitoring
• iSAMS
• CPOMS
• Safeguarding support
• Child protection
• Behaviour support
• Emotional wellbeing
• Mental health support
• Family engagement
• Parent communication
• Student assessment
• Conflict resolution
• Anti‑bullying support
• Attendance intervention
• Persistent absenteeism support
• Data protection
• Confidential records
• ADEK regulations
• UAE Ministry of Education awareness
• DCD Social Worker Licence
• Student counselling coordination
• Community agency liaison
• CPD facilitation
• American Curriculum school support

Equal Opportunity Statement

Al Danah Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes application from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, nationality, race, age, religion or disability. The employer will consider all candidates fairly and provide equal opportunities throughout the recruitment process.