Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Loddon Mallee - Greater Bendigo
Reference: 1500949
Selection Criteria
SC1: Demonstrated experience in coordinating and delivering positive, proactive, and preventative programs or group interventions that promote student health, wellbeing, and engagement.
SC2: Capacity to assess student wellbeing concerns, implement appropriate strategies or short-term interventions, and refer to internal or external supports as required.
SC3: Ability to contribute to the development of a whole-school approach to wellbeing, support team capability, and model high-quality practice aligned with departmental frameworks and child safety standards.
SC4: Comprehensive understanding of current approaches, policies, and research related to student mental health, wellbeing, and engagement in a school setting.
SC5: Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to build strong relationships and work collaboratively with students, families, staff, and external agencies.
Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee¿s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
The successful applicant will collaborate and work alongside a dynamic `Wellbeing' team.
Be a student advocate to support student participation in learning.
The youth worker will support the emotional, social, and mental wellbeing of students, particularly those who may be disengaged, vulnerable, or experiencing challenges. They work alongside teaching and wellbeing staff to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment. Their goal is to build positive relationships with students and help them develop the skills and resilience needed to thrive.
The youth worker is part of the Wellbeing Team and reports directly to the Director of Wellbeing. Their work aligns with the schools School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework, Child Safe Standards, and the Department of Education's Wellbeing and Inclusion Policies.
Responsibilities:
1. Student Support
Build trusting, respectful relationships with students.
Provide one-on-one support and informal counselling to students experiencing personal, social, or emotional issues.
Help students develop self-esteem, coping strategies, conflict resolution skills, and positive peer relationships.
2. Group Programs and Activities
Design and deliver targeted group programs (e.g. resilience, anger management, leadership, social skills).
Facilitate lunchtime or after-school activities to promote connection and inclusion.
3. Early Intervention and Referral
Identify students at risk of disengagement, social isolation, or harm.
Collaborate with wellbeing teams to develop support strategies.
Refer students and families to appropriate internal or external support services.
4. Advocacy and Connection
Act as a bridge between students, families, and school staff.
Advocate for student needs and ensure their voice is heard in decision-making.
5. Cultural and Community Engagement
Promote inclusion, cultural safety, and understanding across the school community.
Engage families and communities to build stronger school partnerships.
6. Collaboration with Staff
Work as part of the school's wellbeing team.
Participate in student support meetings and case management processes.
Support staff with strategies for engaging students and managing behaviour.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of 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
Bendigo South East College is a 7-10 secondary school in regional Victoria.
The College encourages the pursuit of excellence by all members of our learning community. A comprehensive, curriculum is offered to all students based on the Victorian F-10 Framework. Students at Years 8, 9 and 10 have some choice in their subject selections, including specialisms in sports (ADP) and the arts (ACA) and at Year 10, VCE and VET subjects.
The College's student support structure consists of Year Level Leaders working in neighbourhoods with House Advisors, Group Advisors, The Student Support Team and the Principal team. In addition to the Assistant Principals for organisation, community and learning, Timetabler and Daily Organiser, Heads of Curriculum and Learning Specialists, the College has staff responsible for Special Learning Programs, Information Technology and Pathways advice.
The College has an outstanding record of success in extra-curricular activities including Mathematics, Science and Languages competitions. The College actively encourages students to participate in sporting teams, the performing arts and leadership opportunities.
A well qualified, experienced and dedicated staff, are constantly involved in professional development to improve teaching and learning. Staff seek to role model lifelong learning as part of the College learning community. The staff are committed to every student succeeding.
A representative College Council works through a collaborative committee system to set the priorities of the College. The cooperative and positive involvement of the staff members, parents and students in this process is an important feature of our community.
The College has a very active student voice program, led by the Student Representative Council. They play a key role in all areas of the program.
As part of the Bendigo Education Plan, the College was rebuilt in 2009. It has open classrooms with facilities for science, technology, music and photography. Facilities for recreation and physical education programs are provided by a three court indoor stadium, an oval, synthetic grassed soccer pitch, well developed grounds and the regular use of nearby community venues.
The College is one of a cluster of similar schools in the Bendigo area. This collegiate co-operates to provide shared programs and activities such as: instrumental music, combined college bands, regional sports, student support services, library resourcing and professional development. The College works closely with its associate primary schools to achieve a smooth transition from Year 6 to Year 7, and with Bendigo Senior Secondary College, for students making the transition from Year 10 to Year 11.
A wide range of co-curricula learning opportunities including camps at all year levels. A Work Experience program for Year 10¿s is also conducted throughout the year.
Bendigo South East College is proud of the achievements of its students and looks forward to further enhancing opportunities for them.
The Bendigo South East College website is www.bse.vic.edu.au