Mental Health Practitioner

Location: South West Region | Warrnambool
Job type: Part time / From 28/01/2025 - 26/01/2026
Organisation: Schools (Government)
Salary: Salary not specified
Occupation: Health and Allied Health
Reference: 1456901
Selection CriteriaAbility to implement a range of small group and whole-school mental health prevention and promotion activities aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing, including the delivery of capability building and awareness raising activities for staff and/or students on key mental health and wellbeing issues affecting the school's student population.Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies aimed at enhancing mental health and wellbeing prevention, promotion and early intervention.Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling support to clients with a range of mental health needs.Demonstrated experience in coordinating supports for young people with complex needs including referrals to a range of specialist services as appropriate.Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.RoleThe 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:
Enhancing mental health prevention and promotion activities in the school by contributing to whole-school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to address matters relating to student mental health and wellbeing, and helping to develop and deliver appropriate programs and strategies in the school according to specified school priorities.Providing early intervention services (including short-term counselling) for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health concerns.Coordinating supports for students with complex needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions, local mental health service providers and other health professionals to engage further support as required.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).
Providing advice and professional learning to others, including teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students wellbeing, learning and developmental outcomes.Delivering professional support services in a school, including mental health prevention and promotion activities and early intervention activities (including short-term counselling) for students with a range of mental health needs, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.Planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate to effectively manage risk.Working collaboratively with the school to enhance mental health prevention and promotion across the school by contributing to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers.Liaising with other department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide appropriate support to students.Maintaining professional competence and continued professional development, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.Meeting relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information, privacy and consent.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).
Who May ApplyIndividuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
Conditions of EmploymentAll staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.Please ensure that your application includes:
A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply sectionNames and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name.
Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
Location ProfileDear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the advertised position at Warrnambool College.
At a time of exciting growth and continuous school improvement, this is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated, dynamic professional to be part of our team.
At Warrnambool College we achieve success through persistence, resilience and mutual respect.
The College values are: Resilience, strength, mutual respect, courage, trust, global learners, honesty, accountability and persistence.
Our moral purpose is to improve educational outcomes and opportunities not just for our students, but for every student.
Based on this ethos, we promote the ideal that every Warrnambool student should thrive.
Warrnambool College is a Year 7-12 secondary school situated within parkland in the eastern area of the city of Warrnambool.
Students from the City of Warrnambool and the surrounding rural districts attend the school which has a stable student population of more than 1150 students with boys and girls in approximately equal numbers.
Our staffing profile of approximately 150 members includes 3 Assistant Principals, 20 Leading Teachers, teaching and education support staff, wellbeing team members and a separate reengagement staffing complement.
Warrnambool College strives to provide quality pathways for all students.
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