Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Classroom Teacher - Range 2
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs
Reference: 1521213
The Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System highlighted that primary schools provide opportunities to identify children with mental health and wellbeing challenges, who can then be referred to treatment, care and support.
The Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative is being expanded to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. Scaling up across the state from 2023, by 2026 every primary school will be able to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to implement a whole-school approach to wellbeing.
The Department of Education has been piloting the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative in Victorian schools since 2020 in partnership with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Evaluation of this pilot initiative has shown that 95 per cent of Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders consider the Mental Health in Primary Schools model has improved their school's capacity to support students' mental health and wellbeing needs.
Participating schools receive funding to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, a qualified teacher, to work across the school to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community.
The role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader is to:
The role provides a proactive focus for the promotion and prevention of mental health and wellbeing through assessment and implementation of context-relevant programs, approaches and initiatives based on a broad and extensive knowledge of the needs of the school.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role is not a clinical role and is not designed for direct intervention. The role is seen as a key conduit in creating referral pathways once a teacher or other staff member identifies a concern in the classroom.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders are provided training in mental health literacy, supporting emerging needs, and building school capacity and receive ongoing support and professional development through structured and regular Learning Communities Training is developed and facilitated by the Faculty of Education at University of Melbourne, supported by Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
Operating in collaboration with their school, leadership and wellbeing team where relevant, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader will:
Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
This is a full time position in a dual role. 2 days as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader and 3 days as a Specialist Teacher in our Respectful Relationships program.
This vacancy is to replace an employee on parental absence and is for a period of seven years or until the employee absent on leave returns to duty at the school.
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.
Nepean School, located in Seaford, is an innovative educational choice offering individualised learning for students with physical disabilities and complex health impairments. We currently have 136 students enrolled at Nepean School.
Our transdisciplinary teams work collaboratively with families to identify learning priorities, set goals and develop individualised learning plans for every student.
The transdisciplinary teams at Nepean consist of teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, registered nurses (RN1), and music therapists, who work together to design and implement engaging learning programs for all students.
These active partnerships ensure every child has the very best opportunity to reach their potential. Our transdisciplinary teams walk beside the student and their family on their learning journey, celebrating each achievement and success.
We provide comprehensive Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for students at all stages of learning, from level A through to VET programs. Nepean School uses the Victorian Curriculum to develop learning experiences at each student¿s stage of learning. The Nepean School Goal Bank is also used to break down learning goals and identify supports the student may need to reach their goal. Our students have the opportunity to engage in learning across all curriculum areas including English, Mathematics, Information & Communication Technology, History, Geography, Personal & Social Learning, Health & PE, The Arts, Life Skills, Community Skills, Civics & Citizenship, Design Creativity and STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths).
Our school has developed a set of values that guide our practice and affirm our purpose-
- place the student at the centre of all decision making
- enable students to be active learners and have fun
- provide opportunities for all students to be the best they can be
- share knowledge and skills
- build positive relationships and celebrate achievements
- engage in professional learning that reflects current educational and therapeutic best practise
We are connected by a strong belief that our purpose is to make a significant difference within and beyond our community.
Our school has three simple rules, in line with our commitment to the Random Acts of Kindness program. Our rules are-
- kindness to self
- kindness to others
- kindness to the environment
In this way we are focusing on, teaching and celebrating positive behaviour traits, promoting responsibility and awareness of our environment.
Our school motto is ¿
`Together we Achieve the Extraordinary¿
Our school has evolved into a dynamic learning environment, where every member of our school community is supported to achieve their goals and empowered to embrace life-long learning.
https://www.nepean.vic.edu.au/