School Social Worker

Students come to Pathways Academy when a traditional school environment hasn’t provided the structure, support, or individualized attention they need to succeed. Many are working through challenges at home, in their communities, and from previous school experiences that haven’t gone well.

As a School Social Worker, you’ll be one of the steady adults helping students understand what they’re feeling, work through difficult moments, rebuild relationships, and remain connected to their education. Your work won’t happen only inside a counseling office—you’ll be part of each student’s broader school experience.

What You’ll Do

You’ll work alongside educators, school leadership, families, and community partners to understand what may be standing in a student’s way and help build the right support around them.

• Be someone students can turn to — Provide individual and group counseling connected to each student’s IEP, social-emotional development, behavior, and overall well-being.
• Look at the whole student — Review academic and behavioral records, speak with students and families, and consider the social, developmental, family, and environmental factors affecting each student.
• Move IEP goals forward — Provide assigned services, monitor student progress, maintain required documentation, and prepare progress reports according to each student’s IEP.
• Help students repair and reconnect — Facilitate restorative circles and conferences that help students work through conflict, take accountability, repair harm, and rebuild relationships.
• Bring the right people together — Participate in student support teams, Planning and Placement Team meetings, and Manifestation Determination meetings. You’ll prepare reports, share what you’re seeing, and help the team determine what support should come next.
• Help students reconnect with school — Speak with students and parents about attendance concerns, identify what may be contributing to repeated absences, and develop practical intervention plans.
• Partner with families and communities — Maintain communication with parents and guardians, conduct home visits when needed, and connect families with appropriate community programs and resources.
• Support the adults around each student — Share useful strategies with educators and families, contribute to professional-development activities, and help strengthen a school culture where students feel safe, respected, and supported.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Children’s Community Programs of Connecticut (CCP) has supported Connecticut children and families since 1999, serving more than 1,400 clients each year. Pathways Academy is our school—a collaborative environment where education, behavioral support, and strong relationships work together.

Here’s what comes with the job:

• Consistent school hours — Monday through Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., 37.5 hours per week
• Summers off — Work the school year from late August through mid-June, with your salary distributed across all 12 months so your pay continues when school is out
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
• Quarterly wellness experiences that give employees time to recharge and connect
• Training we invest in, including Lunch & Learn sessions, advanced training, and leadership development
• Recognition awards, Dress-Down Fridays, and culture committees where employees can help shape CCP’s workplace
• A referral bonus when someone you recommend joins the CCP team

What You’ll Bring to the Table

Required:

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program
• At least 6 graduate-level credits in education
• Completion of a supervised school-based practicum (minimum 400 hours)
• Valid Connecticut School Social Worker certification (071 endorsement required)

You should also be comfortable counseling students individually and in groups, collaborating with families and school staff, maintaining confidential student information, and connecting families with appropriate community support.

You’ll need a working knowledge of child development, family systems, cultural diversity, behavioral and emotional health, and the laws and professional standards that guide school social work—including IDEA, the ADA, and Connecticut attendance requirements.

On the physical side, this position involves regular walking, standing, bending, and moving throughout the school day. It may also involve safe physical intervention when necessary to maintain a safe learning environment. Some assignments may require assisting students or moving equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are available.

Compensation: $60,000–$80,000 annually

Children’s Community Programs is a nonprofit organization and does not offer visa sponsorship or relocation assistance. Candidates relocating independently are welcome to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Children’s Community Programs of Connecticut (CCP) is a mission-driven nonprofit focused on helping children and families achieve safety, stability, and independence. We provide hands-on services directly in homes, schools, courts, and community settings across Connecticut.

Each year, CCP staff directly support more than a thousand Connecticut families. Employees work within interdisciplinary teams alongside clinicians, educators, and advocates to address real-world challenges affecting safety, education, and long-term independence.

We believe effective services require supported employees. CCP emphasizes supervision, professional development, and teamwork so staff can perform confidently and sustainably in challenging but meaningful roles.