Work Type: Ongoing - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 4
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: 1496650
The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative was announced by the Minister for Education in late 2018 to expand mental health and wellbeing support in government schools. The initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses and specialist school (with secondary-aged enrolments) settings.
Operating in collaboration with the relevant Department of Education Regional Mental Health Branch, this role has the following functions:
Education support class level 1 range 4
The successful applicant will be an experienced professional who will carry out their duties and responsibilities, relative to their professional discipline, with a high level of autonomy and with minimal reliance on professional supervision. The successful applicant will be responsible for the development and implementation of professional support programs within an educational environment, including guidance to other professional staff.
As an education support class position, this role supports the educational services being provided to students, but will not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic).
For more information on the responsibilities of an Education Support class level 1 range 4 employee, please visit the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/industrial-agreements/resources
We are seeking a Mental Health Practitioner, preferably a psychologist or counsellor, to be a part of our Wellbeing Hub. The Wellbeing Hub is led by the Wellbeing Leader and includes an MHP, Social Worker, School Nurses and the Disability Inclusion Co-ordinator. The team will also liaise with external agencies and providers. The Wellbeing Leader reports directly to the Assistant Principal (Wellbeing and Engagement).
The Wellbeing Hub team will work closely with the Senior and Junior Mini School Leaders, Year Level Managers and Home Group teachers to support student wellbeing. They will receive referrals from staff as well as self-referrals from students and use a case management approach in order to determine the best wellbeing supports for each student.
This is a part-time role, ideally at a 0.6 FTE time fraction, however this may be negotiable with the succesful applicant. Days of attendance will be determined after discussion with the Principal and Wellbeing Leader and will allow for meeting of the entire Wellbeing Hub team.
Please note: Continued professional development is a registration requirement under the National Law, which governs the operations of the National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Required
Desirable
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
Thomastown Secondary College has a unique and proud history. Designed in 1971 on a mini-school model with a strong focus on engagement and student voice, we have retained our core values while responding to the changing needs of our community and that of the broader society.
Central to our core values is the pursuit of Individual Excellence for each member of the College and this is embedded in our rich learning environment which values and supports diversity, excellence and teamwork. We foster a spirit of mutual respect and support, where every student is expected to strive to reach his or her potential.
The College mission is to empower students to develop strong social, emotional, and academic skills essential for all citizens in this global world and we encourage all students to participate in shaping and improving our learning environment while taking every opportunity to participate in enrichment and extension programs.
The College is structured around a Junior and Senior Mini school, each led by an Assistant Principal supported by Year Level Coordinators, which allows us to focus on the individual needs of each student while ensuring a strong and broad curriculum. Home Group teachers within each Mini School mentor and guide their students, providing strong positive connection and encouragement.
The College provides senior students with a range of options from VCE, VM and VET and the opportunity to access a relevant work placement is available to all students enrolled in a VET course. Year 10 students benefit from being part of a senior learning environment and have access to Year 11 subjects.