Mental Health Practitioner + Student Wellbeing Specialist

Job posted: 25/10/2024Location: Melbourne | Southern MetropolitanJob type: Full time / From 22/04/2025 - 21/04/2032Organisation: Schools (Government)Salary: Salary not specifiedOccupation: Health and Allied HealthReference: 1446444Selection Criteria

KSC 1: Demonstrated experience in leading the development and implementation of evidence-based individual support including assessments, group programs, targeted initiatives, and early intervention and prevention strategies and activities focused on the wellbeing and inclusion of young people. This includes knowledge of the tiers of intervention across mental health and disability inclusion.KSC 2: Demonstrated ability to collect, monitor and assess data at the individual (including educational and psychological assessments and reports), cohort and wider community level; and to use this data to inform evidence-based approaches and strategic planning, including providing high-level advice to leadership teams.KSC 3: Highly developed communication, interpersonal and networking skills with a demonstrated commitment to and experience in working collaboratively with young people, parents and carers, internal staff and other professional agencies.KSC 4: Demonstrated knowledge and experience to design, deliver, broker and/or evaluate professional development and capacity building to staff, focused on mental health, wellbeing, health promotion and disability inclusion (including trauma-informed practice, neurodevelopmental and Specific Learning Disorders and how this can present in the classroom).KSC 5: Demonstrated capacity to reflect critically upon their own professional practice and apply the knowledge, skills and expertise derived from ongoing professional learning.KSC 6: Knowledge, understanding and implementation of Child Safe Standards.Role

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: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).This role will be a combination of Mental Health Practitioner and Student Wellbeing Specialist. This means some duties of this role will sit outside the scope of MHP, including working with complex cases and supervising tertiary placements. In addition, the applicant will be part of the Inclusive Education team and be expected to contribute to this space.Delivering professional support services in a school, including mental health prevention, wellbeing and health promotion activities and early intervention activities, small group programs, targeted vulnerable cohort support, and short-term counselling, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.Coordinating critical incidents for students with complex needs both within and external to the school, including emergency management response and proactively working with regions, local mental health service providers and other health professionals to engage further support as required.Case coordination, planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other DE and external professionals and agencies.Conduct different types of assessments, which may include psycho-educational assessments and classroom observations.Contribute to evidence and support Disability Inclusion Profile (DIP) applications.Providing advice and professional learning to others, including teachers and other school wellbeing and inclusion staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students' wellbeing, learning and developmental outcomes.Working collaboratively with the school to enhance mental health prevention, health and wellbeing promotion and disability inclusion 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 and external service providers where necessary to provide appropriate support to students and implement whole school approaches.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.Actively contribute to a positive climate for learning and development where the College community demonstrates the highest levels of respect and inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including implementing strategies to address the six self-determination in education reform areas.Perform other duties as may be required by the Principal or Assistant Principals.Who May Apply

RequiredApplicants must be qualified as a psychologist, social worker, mental health nurse, occupational therapist or counsellor of a prescribed class. Specifically:For Psychologists, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRAFor Mental Health Nurses, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA and hold a postgraduate qualification in mental healthFor Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social WorkersFor Occupational Therapists applicants must hold full registration with AHPRAFor Counsellors applicants must have completed a Bachelor or Master of Counselling and be a practising member of either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)Demonstrated direct counselling experienceA current Working With Children Check.For Psychology applicants, specialisation in educational and/or developmental psychology.For Mental Health Nurse applicants, holding a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.For Social Work applicants, membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark.For Occupational Therapy applicants, a Better Access to Mental Health Endorsement.For Counselling applicants, Level 3-4 registration (ACA) or a Registered Clinical Counsellor endorsement (PACFA).EEO AND OHS Commitment

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.The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment-free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via ****** Safe Standards

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: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:All 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

section.Names 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.Conditions of Employment

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.Location Profile

Elisabeth Murdoch College (EMC) is a coeducational secondary college, 7-12, located in the southeastern suburb of Langwarrin with a current student population of 1620. We care about developing each of our students as a whole child. We build relationships and offer opportunities that position students for their pathway to success.Our key priority areas are Literacy, Student Engagement in Learning, and Community Engagement. The College has an instructional model that guides teaching and learning for staff and students. The model provides flexibility to incorporate current department initiatives. We have a strong focus on literacy through the 3L Literacy for Learning framework, along with school-wide Positive Behaviours.The College adopts evidence-based strategies to support student's social and emotional learning. We offer a learning environment where all students can achieve their best and be positioned for a positive pathway. Respect, Empowerment, Aspiration, Courage, and Honesty are the core values that guide our work. We set high expectations for all students in all aspects of school life.Elisabeth Murdoch College leads and implements initiatives and strategies to support the wellbeing of students, staff and the wider community. EMC is a lead school for the Department of Education Respectful Relationships initiative. We also have a newly established Inclusive Education team supporting students with additional needs including the new Tier 2 disability inclusion approach and Disability Inclusion Profiles (formerly Program for Students with Disabilities). EMC drives reconciliation in education, and celebrates and supports our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through our endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan. We are proud to work in partnership with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to support students building strength in cultural identity in engagement activities across the College.Elisabeth Murdoch College, Langwarrin Primary School, Langwarrin Park Primary School, and Woodlands Primary School have partnered to create the THRIVE positive education network. Together we are using best practice teaching and the science of positive psychology to help every member of our school community to THRIVE.Elisabeth Murdoch College is proud to offer a diverse set of pathways to cater to every aspiration. We strive to meet the learning needs and passions of every student, while also creating a supportive environment with opportunities for students to develop an individual sense of self and belonging to the community.Our four Middle School Specialist Programs provide an insight into our unique approach to support students to transform their interests and passions into learning and career pathways in preparation for senior school. These programs are:Leaders in Sport - Strong leadership within the communityThe Murdoch Program - Providing strong academic pathwaysThe Performing Arts Collective - Inspiring success through a passion to performTHRIVE Aspirant Leaders - Empowering students to become change makersEMC Combine - Basketball Academy in 2025These four Specialist Programs extend our regular curriculum, creating an environment where students can challenge each other, take risks and develop the behaviours and leadership skills that will support their continued learning well beyond secondary school.We also provide a vast curriculum that caters for the interests and abilities of a diverse range of learning styles and pathways including:Extensive VCE, VP, VM and VET offeringsSchool Based Apprenticeships with an extensive vocational programMany additional opportunities to be involved in further educational experiences, ie. sport, academic, performing arts and community partnershipsStrong community links with the iCAN challenge and the Royal Children's Hospital, The Salvation Army, Monash University, Lifeblood and Cruden FarmEMC College Vision & ValuesVision:An inclusive environment that supports our community to realise their potential.Pathways for every aspirationPathways to successPurpose:By creating curious and resilient learners who excel in a connected and global community.

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