School Social Worker at Västerbergslagen Education Association

Västerbergslagen Education Association, VBU, is a municipal association that provides upper secondary education, adult education, higher vocational education, and commissioned education. We work on behalf of the municipalities of Ludvika and Smedjebacken. VBU has approximately 250 employees, around 1,800 students, and a turnover of approximately 225 million SEK. Our operations are conducted in Ludvika, Smedjebacken, and Grängesberg. More information about our various schools can be found on our website.

Job Responsibilities

As a school social worker, you will be responsible, together with the school management and other members of the student health team, for ensuring that the student health initiatives contribute to students' achievement and that they are provided with good conditions for health and learning.

According to the Education Act, student health primarily works in a health-promoting and preventive manner. The school social worker brings psychosocial competence to the school at the individual, group, and organizational levels and works on behalf of the principal.

As social support in the Program Reinforcement

you will particularly work with support for students within the autism spectrum (ASD). Your role may include supporting students at the individual and group levels in classroom situations or in other situations related to their education. The initiatives may also involve guiding teachers, mentors, or other student health professionals in relation to students with ASD. It may also involve being the coordinating function for the student in contact with IFO, LSS, and school or other external actors who are important in the student's schooling. Support is planned based on the individual's needs.

In the overall role, you will work based on proven experience and evidence with psychosocial interventions directly aimed at groups or individual students. You will work solution-focused and always try to see the positive aspects and build from there. In both roles, you will be involved in group-oriented initiatives, have individual conversations with students, conduct assessments, and guide staff in certain cases. The role includes contact with other authorities.

You will provide and receive support on profession-specific issues within your field that you meet regularly. There are three school social workers collaborating across VBU, but your focus will primarily be on a couple of our school units. Regarding the Program Reinforcement, you will receive support from a special student coordinator.

Qualifications and Experience

We are looking for someone who is a trained social worker and has knowledge of social services law and the school's governing documents. You can organize and prioritize work effectively to achieve results. As a person, you are proactive, curious, positive, and develop by engaging with new research and collaborating with other colleagues. The work requires good collaboration skills, a holistic view, and flexibility. At VBU, we work based on our core values, which means that all employees create participation, safety, and cooperation through openness and respect. This applies in every situation and in every relationship.

You are comfortable working in both small and large groups of students and staff. You find it easy to collaborate and create good working relationships. Experience working with children and adolescents is desirable and meritorious. Previous experience as a school social worker is highly meritorious. We also see an advantage if you have prior experience working within social services for children and youth and previous positions within child and adolescent psychiatry. Personal suitability is of great importance.

Particularly Meritorious

• Further education as a health and medical care social worker
• Further training and/or experience related to individuals with ASD

Experience and success in using various tools such as motivational interviewing - MI or other tools that are effective in everyday work to motivate students towards better health and improved learning are also meritorious!

Welcome to apply via our recruitment system!

About Employment Conditions

The position is a permanent employment and the job form is a full-time position with a start date from April 1, 2026, or earlier by agreement. A probationary period may apply. We require a presentation of a criminal record extract upon employment. More information about our operations and the role will be provided during the recruitment process. A driver's license is a requirement.

About the Application

You apply by registering your profile and attaching a personal letter and CV in our recruitment system. Attach relevant degree certificates to your application. The deadline for applications is January 30, 2026. We warmly welcome your application!

Contact Persons

Karin Pihlström, Acting Head of Student Health
0240-86876
karin.pihlströ[email protected]

Daniel Grenehag, Coordinator for Program Reinforcement
0240-667789
[email protected]

Mariella Andersson, Head of Upper Secondary School
0240-86792
[email protected]