Principal Social Worker

National Online School; Greater London; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and terms

Continuing Professional Development

Clinical supervision

IT equipment provided

Wellbeing initiatives

Health Shield benefits

Rewards platform

Staff events and celebrations

Job summary

National Online School is seeking an experienced Senior Level Social Worker to join as Assistant Principal - Inclusion. The post blends expert social work with strategic school leadership, focusing on safeguarding, inclusion and engagement for SEND learners.

You will join the senior leadership team, guiding safeguarding, attendance and multi-agency collaboration while supporting staff development and continuous improvement across the school.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Extensive safeguarding experience in complex cases.
• Experience as Designated Safeguarding Lead within specialist provision.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop staff.
• Experience in leading senior leadership and challenging practice.
• Proven multi-agency collaboration across education, health and social care.

Responsibilities

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with strategic safeguarding oversight.
• Lead FAST provision and coordinate with families, Local Authorities and professionals.
• Hold a small, complex caseload of pupils and families for intensive social work support.
• Provide leadership across inclusion, safeguarding, behaviour, attendance and engagement.
• Champion inclusive practice and neurodiversity-informed approaches school-wide.
• Serve in the senior leadership team, guiding operational improvement and Ofsted readiness.
• Lead multi-agency collaboration across education, health and social care.

Skills

DSL leadership

Senior leadership

safeguarding

Multi-agency collaboration

Staff development

Strategic thinking

Education

Qualified Social Worker (Social Work England registered)

Job description

Incorporating the role of Assistant Principal - Inclusion

Company Description

National Online School is the UK’s first Department for Education–accredited therapeutic online school for children and young people aged 9–25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The school combines high-quality teaching with integrated therapeutic support to help students re-engage with learning, rebuild confidence, and reach their potential. Through personalised learning programmes, including the award-winning LIFE Programme, students with SEND, EBSA, autism, ADHD, and social, emotional, and mental health needs access education that works for them. Working closely with families, schools, and local authorities, National Online School offers a safe, supportive online environment with small class sizes, specialist therapy provision, and academic results above national averages. Its mission is to unlock potential and transform futures for every SEND learner.

Role Description

Are you an experienced Social Worker looking for an opportunity to use your professional expertise at a strategic school leadership level?

We are looking for an experienced and qualified Senior Level Social Worker to join our National Online School, incorporating the role of Assistant Principal - Inclusion.

This is a unique senior position combining expert social work practice with whole-school leadership. You will bring your professional expertise in safeguarding, complex casework and multi-agency working to the school's senior leadership team, with strategic responsibility for safeguarding, inclusion, attendance, engagement and behaviour.

Our National Online School provides therapeutic education virtually to children and young people with complex co-morbid needs, including neurodiverse pupils and those experiencing emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), where traditional school-based education may not currently be accessible.

What you'll be doing

In this combined role, you will:

• Act as the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), providing strategic oversight of safeguarding, including digital safeguarding and remote welfare monitoring.
• Lead our FAST provision, working closely with pupils, families, Local Authorities and other professionals to provide coordinated support.
• Hold a small, highly complex caseload of pupils and families requiring intensive social work intervention.
• Provide leadership across inclusion, safeguarding, behaviour, attendance and engagement, ensuring pupils are supported to access and engage successfully with their education.
• Champion inclusive and neurodiversity-informed practice across the school.
• Work as part of the school's senior leadership team, supporting the Vice Principal with the operational leadership and continuous improvement of the school.
• Lead effective multi-agency working across education, health, social care and other external services.
• Oversee quality assurance, risk assessment and effective case management, supporting the school's readiness for external assurance, including Ofsted.
• Lead, support and develop colleagues through effective line management, professional supervision and coaching.

About you

This role requires someone who can bring together strong professional social work expertise and confident senior leadership.

You will be a qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration, with significant experience of safeguarding and supporting children and young people with complex needs.

We’re particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Considerable recent experience as an effective Designated Safeguarding Lead, ideally within specialist provision.
• Experience supporting children and young people with complex needs, including ASC and/or SEMH.
• Strong experience of complex safeguarding, case management and multi-agency working across education, health and social care.
• Experience of leading, motivating and developing staff.
• The confidence to operate as part of a senior school leadership team, providing professional challenge and influencing practice across the organisation.
• A calm, solution-focused approach and the ability to lead effectively in complex and sensitive situations.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary and terms and conditions.
• An opportunity to make a real difference to children and young people through a unique role combining professional social work expertise with senior leadership responsibility for inclusion.
• Continuing Professional Development: paid comprehensive training and ongoing professional learning opportunities.
• Clinical Supervision, providing a dedicated reflective space to discuss complex cases, develop practice and support professional wellbeing.
• IT equipment, including laptops and mobiles, as well as technical support where necessary.
• Regular wellbeing opportunities, including half-termly staff meet-ups, wellbeing-focused INSET sessions, wellbeing briefings and activities designed to support connection, resilience and positive mental health.
• A dedicated TCES Wellbeing Day, providing additional time to focus on your personal wellbeing.
• A comprehensive range of Health Shield employee benefits, including a health cash plan, 24/7 GP access, counselling and Employee Assistance Programme support, on-demand physiotherapy and health and wellbeing resources.
• Access to an exclusive employee rewards platform, offering discounts across shopping, holidays, entertainment, health and wellbeing.
• Opportunities to connect and celebrate with colleagues throughout the year through staff wellbeing activities and end-of-year celebrations.

Please note that candidates who are shortlisted will be required to complete our application form prior to interview as part of our safer recruitment process.

National Online School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The appointment is subject to all relevant pre-employment checks, including satisfactory references, medical clearance and an enhanced DBS disclosure.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.