The Stepping Stones Group
Make a Difference Every Day
Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!
School-Based Social Worker | Part-Time | Middle School | Short-Term Assignment | LCSW or LICSW
About the Opportunity
Are you a licensed school social worker who wants to see your work make a difference in students' daily lives? The Stepping Stones Group is seeking a School-Based Social Worker for a short-term assignment supporting middle school students who need social work intervention. You'll work with a multidisciplinary team, help develop plans of care, and design individualized service plans based on students' IEPs. Candidates who are certified as school social workers, or willing to obtain certification, are encouraged to apply.
- Pay: $40-$42 per hour
- Schedule: Part-time, 30 hours per week, Monday-Friday, on a school-year schedule
- Setting: Onsite, in-person, school-based, middle school
- Caseload: 40 or more students
- Assignment length: Approximately 27 working days, from late November through mid-June
- Start date: Late November 2026
- Employment type: W-2
- Location: Shared with candidates during the application process
What You'll Do
- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team and provide input on plans of care for students who need social work intervention
- Design and develop individualized service plans based on students' IEPs, using diagnostic information from a variety of assessments
- Establish rules and procedures appropriate for a therapeutic setting and consistent with the instructional program
- Help students transition smoothly between therapy and the classroom, and to services beyond the school
- Plan with the educational team to prevent and respond to challenging behaviors while maintaining each student's dignity
- Engage students with positive feedback and effective reinforcement techniques
- Work effectively with students, families, educational team members, and outside professionals
- Connect students and families with community, state, and national resources to promote safety and well-being
- Maintain accurate documentation and protect student confidentiality in line with FERPA and mandated reporting requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Active license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Rhode Island
- School social worker certification through the state education department, or willingness to obtain it (pending certification accepted)
- Experience collaborating in student-centered, team-based settings
- Knowledge of child and adolescent development and the impact of disability on students and families
- Computer proficiency
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to complete required state clearances and background checks
- Authorization to work in the United States
You'll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:
- Working onsite and in person in a middle school
- Supporting a larger caseload
- Collaborating with teachers, families, and an interdisciplinary team
- Working with students who have IEPs
- Starting soon and working a short-term, defined assignment
Preferred Qualifications
- 1 or more years of experience as a school social worker
- Pediatric experience (also welcomed)
- Active school social worker certification
- Experience developing service plans from IEPs
- Experience with trauma-informed care and crisis response
- Bilingual in Spanish and English
Related Experience We Value
Experience as a School Social Worker, School Counselor, School-Based Therapist, Pediatric Social Worker, Mental Health Clinician, Behavioral Health Clinician, LCSW, LICSW, or Child and Adolescent Therapist is highly valued.
Why Candidates Choose This Role
- Short-term assignment with a clear start and end, ideal for a gap between roles or a flexible schedule
- Hands-on school-based work with a consistent weekday schedule
- Work alongside a multidisciplinary team of educators and specialists
- Build experience with IEP-related social work services
- Evenings, weekends, and school breaks typically off
Why You'll Love Working With Us
- Competitive pay
- Health and wellness benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Continuing education resources, including free CEUs and approved webinars
- Employee referral bonus program
- Supportive and collaborative clinical leadership
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
- Meaningful work that directly impacts students and communities
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?
Successful school-based social workers are compassionate, organized, and dependable. They build trust with students quickly, document clearly, collaborate well with school teams, and keep students' wellbeing at the center of every decision.
About The Stepping Stones Group
We believe every child deserves exceptional support to succeed academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. We partner with schools nationwide to provide high-quality educational and behavioral health services, and we give our clinicians the training, resources, and support to do their best work.
Ready to make an impact? Apply today. Please share your license type, your school social worker certification status, and your school-based experience. Know someone great? Refer a colleague and earn a referral bonus.
The Stepping Stones Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.