Social Worker / Student Mental Health Officer

Department of Education Victoria – Yarraville VIC

13h ago , from Department of Education & Training Victoria

Wembley Primary School, established in 1958, is located on the lands of the Boonwurrung and Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation - in the suburb of Yarraville, in the city of Maribyrnong.

The school has a total of 605 students enrolled: of which 10% have English as an additional language and 1% are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Wembley operates 25 straight grade classes one composite class, supported by 3 Principal Class, 41 EFT teaching class and 30 EFT Education support staff including first aid officer, office staff and classroom support staff

Wembley's Mission, 'To empower all students to learn at high levels to become successful, independent, lifelong learners' and Vision, 'Know Thy Impact', is integral to the work that we do and is the foundation of our school community. The school aims to build a culture that demonstrates a strong belief in, and a commitment to, providing a rich and rigorous curriculum within a safe, secure and enriched learning setting for our students.

We have a clear focus on catering for the diverse range of students at their point of need, and strive to provide a supportive, nurturing and challenging learning setting, with high expectations of student success. Our school values: Empathy, Inclusion, Resilience and Respect, underpin how members of our school community work in partnership to achieve our School Mission.

Wembley Primary School provides a concept-based curriculum with a strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy, complemented by specialist programs in Physical Education, Performing and Visual Arts. The school also provides enrichment programs in Writing, Visual Arts and Mathematics.

Teaching practices across the school are informed by evidence-based strategies that have high impact on student learning. Professional learning is an integral part of the operation of the school, and collaborative teams are the focal point for planning and development of the teaching and learning and the improvement of teacher practice.

Wembley Primary School provides a quality learning culture that is orderly, safe, secure and inclusive. This culture is strongly influenced by the school's values which focus on the rights and responsibilities of students, teachers and parents. The school motto is "Striving for Success" and the Student Engagement and Wellbeing policy underpins the management and teaching practices at Wembley Primary School.

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

As a School Counsellor, at Wembley Primary School you will play a vital role in promoting a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment, with a core focus on student wellbeing, engagement and learning.



Your primary responsibilities will include providing counselling services, supporting students' wellbeing growth, and collaborating with educators and parents/carers to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

With an understanding of our mission, vision, values, and the goals within our School Strategic Plan, the School Counsellor at Wembley Primary School will support the delivery of proactive and responsive wellbeing services to support the wellbeing of students primarily, as well as staff members and parents in relation to the student in question.

The School Counsellor reports to the Wellbeing Team, and Principal Class Team.

The structure of the School Counsellors weekly timetable is to be developed and reviewed regularly in consultation with the Wellbeing Team and the Junior and Senior School Assistant Principals, according to the needs of the school.

The responsibilities of the position are to be performed in accordance with the provisions of the DET Education Support Class Level 1-Range 3, and Wembley Primary Schools relevant policies and processes

Responsibilities

Individual Counselling :

Provide 1:1 counselling and debriefing to students facing academic, personal, social or emotional challenges. Help students develop coping strategies, set goals, and make informed decisions.

Group Counselling

Facilitate student group counselling sessions to address specific issues, such as bullying, conflict resolution or Co stress management.

Collaboration & Communication :

Liaise with Wembleys Wellbeing Team and Executive Leadership Team with regard to engagement of student wellbeing for specific students

Communicate and consult with staff and parents/carers on a regular basis regarding a students RRR engagement and wellbeing - academic, social and emotional

Support teachers, Education Support staff and leaders to identify and develop educational, social and emotional programs to support referred students

Participate in Student Support Meetings (SSGs) for students and support in the development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

Provide written and oral reports as necessary, including communicating information to staff

Assist in the development of positive home and school relationships and communication

Providing Professional Learning:

Facilitate professional learning and resources

Actively engage in ongoing professional development for staff, maintaining a portfolio of training, professional learning and resources provided

Facilitate parent education through information sessions, newsletter items, student support group meetings, and one‑on‑one contact regarding individual student needs

Support staff to create an environment which promotes the physical, emotional, social and intellectual development and wellbeing of all students

External Agencies & Health Professionals:

Liaise with external support agencies and specialists, as required

Liaise with community service organisations, government agencies, hospitals, specialist programs and other allied health professionals

Liaise with Principal Class team, re: recommendations for the DE Student Support Services SSS HAWKC team.

Record Keeping:

Develop, maintain and monitor comprehensive and confidential case files

Referrals:

Children who are identified as needing support will be referred to the Wellbeing Team through Wembley's referral process and then triaged to identify who will access support from the School Counsellor

Liaise with and provide/recommend referrals to external support agencies and specialists, as required





Assist in the assessment of students¿ safety and welfare needs

Critical Incident Responses :

Be available to support responses to critical incidents and debriefing including emotional distress, traumatic events or other urgent situations

Wellbeing Structures, Programs & Practices :

Participate in the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support Team

Support the implementation of key improvement strategies as outlined in the School Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan

Assist and consult on the existing wellbeing structures, programs and practices at Wembley PS to further strengthen these

Carry out other duty as required, by the Executive Leadership Team

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfil the specific requirements of the position.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 protected, 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 (seeWorkplace 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*******@education.vic.gov.au

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.

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 your 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

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 of Human Resources website at

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📌 Social Worker / Student Mental Health Officer (City of Maribyrnong)
🏢 Department of Education Victoria
📍 City of Maribyrnong