School Social Worker: Special Schools

About the role

The Department of Education (Eastern Cape) is hiring 7 School Social Worker: Special Schools posts. This is a permanent post, paying R338,208 – R397,668 a year. How to apply: Applicants must be submitted via the provincial e-recruitment system accessible at: https://ecprov.gov.za and/or at https://erecruitment.ecotp.gov.za. The Provincial e-Recruitment System is available 24/7 and closes at 23: 59 on the Closing Date. To report any e-Recruitment System challenges send an email with your (i) ID Number, (ii) profile email address, (iii) details of your issue to: erecruitment@ecdoe.gov.za. Do not send any applications to this email address; should you do so, your applications/ CV will be regarded as lost and will not be considered. Technical support is limited to working hours: (08:00- 16:30 Mon-Thursday and 08:00-16:00 on Friday). Direct all enquiries to the specified enquiries person or email Address. Hand-delivered, e-Mailed, Faxed, Posted applications will not be accepted. Reference numbers to quote: DOE25/08/2026, DOE26/08/2026, DOE27/08/2026, DOE28/08/2026, DOE29/08/2026, DOE30/08/2026, DOE31/08/2026 Closing date: 23 October 2026. Applications received after closing date will not be considered. Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV.

Responsibilities

• To provide professional social work services to learners with special educational needs, their families, and the school community.
• The successful candidate will address social, emotional, and behavioural barriers to learning to facilitate the holistic development of the child within an inclusive or specialized environment.
• Psychosocial Support: Provide individual and group counselling to learners with diverse disabilities (physical, intellectual, or neurodivergent).
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work as part of the School- Based Support Team (SBST) alongside psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists.
• Home-School Liaison: Conduct home visits and assessments to understand the learner’s social context and provide parentguidance programs.
• Crisis Intervention: Manage cases of child abuse, neglect, and trauma in accordance with the Children’s Act.
• Advocacy and Placement: Assist with the screening, identification, and assessment (SIAS) process and facilitate referrals to external welfare organizations or medical facilities.
• Administration:
• Maintain comprehensive, confidential case files and draft statutory reports for the Department of Social Development or Children's Courts
• Participate in inter- and intra-sectoral networks and collaborations
• Collaborate and interact with stakeholders (e.g., Department of Health, Department of Social Development, Non-Profit Organizations, Non- Governmental Organizations, local government, and the broader Community).
• Advocate for learners who experience barriers to learning, liaising with Social Workers from other special schools and sharing best practices and experiences, liaison with relevant professional boards and tertiary institutions, participate in extra-mural and co-curricular activities.
• Management and Administration: Manage effective administration practices of Social Work interventions, ensure compliance with the code of Ethics of the SACSSP, practice sound interpersonal relations, engage actively in performance appraisals per requirement.

Requirements

• A formal 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
• Current, valid registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP).
• (Proof of payment for the current year is mandatory on or before the interview day).
• Previous experience in a school environment or working with children with disabilities is highly advantageous.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Deep understanding of the Children’s Act and the South African Schools Act.
• Strong interpersonal, report-writing, and crisis-management skills.