Student Counsellor

Job Description Location: Melbourne | Northern Metropolitan Job type: Part time / From 28/01/2025 Organisation: Schools (Government) Salary: Salary not specified Occupation: Health and Allied Health Reference: 1435368 Selection Criteria Ability 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.
Role Range 4 is distinguished by broader management responsibility, particularly in the areas of finance, human resource and other support functions.
Range 4 is responsible for managing a range of functions under a wide range of conditions, subject to the size and complexity of school operations.
Objectives will, generally, be clearly defined; guidelines will be broad and day-to-day direction minimal.
Management responsibility extends to ensuring appropriate support levels are maintained across the school.
Range 4 generally provides key support and timely advice to the leadership team and school council and liaises with the general school community, the Department and other government agencies and service providers.
Specialised professional roles will carry a high level of independence and accountability where suitable scope is provided to achieve objectives.
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.
Responsibilities 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 Apply Required Applicants 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 AHPRA For Mental Health Nurses, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA and hold a postgraduate qualification in mental health For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers For Occupational Therapists applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA For 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 experience A current Working With Children Check.
Desirable 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 Child 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: DE Values 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: Other Information 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.
Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at 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 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.
Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at Location Profile Coolaroo South Primary School and Kindergarten is situated in a well-defined residential area in the City of Hume.
The school is in a comprehensive community recreational precinct with proximity to a range of local facilities including public transport.
Along with Foundation to Year 6 programs, Coolaroo South also facilitates a playgroup through our community hub.
Our 3 and 4-year-old Kindergarten programs are managed by Northern Schools Early Years Cluster.
The school has excellent facilities with 13 well-resourced classrooms along with staff offices and spaces to allow for small teaching groups.
This year the school has an enrolment of 270.
Its 49 staff include 2 principal class, 21 teaching staff and 26 ES staff.
The SFO Index is 0.79 and its SFOE Index is 0.6.
The school's community draws from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
It has a very high proportion of families from disadvantaged backgrounds and generally, very high numbers of newly arrived EAL learners.
Coolaroo South Primary School has spent time and energy in developing strategies, processes and procedures that not only improve student learning but provide a safe and efficient working environment.
The school is a Respectful Relationships partner school and is focussed on developing socially competent students who are aware of their responsibilities in the wider community.
The school also works hard to build positive relationships with all families ensuring they feel safe and supported.
Coolaroo South Primary prides itself on its commitment to improving student achievement by offering all students a challenging academic program devised to meet their individual needs.
All teaching teams implement inquiry cycles using the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and the Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU F-2) intervention model.
The schools aims to connect all members of the community to learning and through its community hub, engages parents in a range of courses and programs preparing them for life in Australia.
The school is organised into single classes whenever possible.
It provides instruction in Physical Education, Visual and Performing Arts, Science, STEM.
The school offers weekly Arabic immersion classes to mother tongue students for years 2 - 6.
Student wellbeing continues to be a high priority for staff.
The school employs the equivalent of 1 EFT speech therapists who provide phonological work alongside teachers as well as individual clinical work for PSD students.
A Play Therapist and student counsellor are employed to work individually with students experiencing social, emotional and behavioural challenges.
All staff are trained in Berry Street (trauma informed practice) ensuring consistent implementation of these strategies.
Other Information This position is for 1 day per week on a Friday #J-18808-Ljbffr