Selection Criteria

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Demonstrated experience in coordinating supports for young people with complex needs including referrals to a range of specialist services as appropriate.
5. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
6. Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.

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; and
- 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.

Education support class level 1 range 4

The successful applicant will be an experienced skilled 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).

For more information on the responsibilities of an Education Support class level 1 range 4 employee, please visit the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/industrial-agreements/resources

Responsibilities

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Maintaining professional competence and continued professional development, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
7. 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 (Level 2, 3 or 4) of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)

- Demonstrated direct counselling experience
- Evidence of registration with AHPRA, AASW (where applicable), or with ACA or PACFA (where applicable), and a copy of a testamur, certificate or transcript as evidence of appropriate qualification.
- 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).

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 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 *@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:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy 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:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Location Profile

Bright P12 College

Including - Dinner Plain Campus (winter months only)

School Profile

Purpose Statement:

We exist to provide a stimulating learning environment that enables every student to build core skills and pursue opportunities for achievement and excellence in order to best prepare them for their individual life journeys.

The College, situated within a unique natural environment and bolstered by an inclusive, supportive community, continuously strives to nurture the health and wellbeing of each student and staff member while fostering creativity, inspiring growth and building capacity and character.

College Values:

Bright P-12 College is committed to providing a culture of inspiration, wellbeing and achievement amongst students and staff in their academic, creative, social, citizenship and sporting pursuits.

The College has adopted the School Wide Positive Behaviour model, and utilises a clearly defined Decision Matrix for Behaviour Management.

Location:

The College is set in 10 hectares of landscaped grounds in the tourist township of Bright, which is situated in the picturesque Ovens Valley, 310km north east of Melbourne. The nearest major city, Wangaratta is 80km to the west and Albury/Wodonga 110km north-west. Magnificent Alpine country and river valleys offer a wide variety of year-round activities including skiing, bush walking, bike riding and a wide range of sports.

The College's population comprises approximately 240 primary and 270 secondary students enrolled from the Bright township and the neighboring towns of Porepunkah, Harrietville and Wandiligong. The College and Primary schools in these towns form the Alpine Cluster, and work cooperatively on transition, sports programs and a range of common interests. The College also operates a campus at Dinner Plain during the winter ski season that caters for students living on the mountain during this time.

The College coordinates four buses, which transport students from the Buckland Valley, Ovens, Harrietville, Wandiligong and Porepunkah. Approximately 200 students (P-12) are transported on these school buses.

Demographics:

The College began as a primary school on its present site in 1865. The original handmade brick building constructed in 1876 is still utilised. The evolution to a P-12 College in the 1990s followed a long period as a primary school and Higher Elementary school.

The major industry in Bright is tourism, replacing tobacco and timber that were the major agricultural industries. Fruit, nuts and wine grapes are now established primary industries. Due to the changes in technology and work, has enabled many families to make a tree-change to Bright and often relocating their workspace to the area.

The college caters for students funded through the Students with Disabilities Program. These students range from Level 1 to Level 4.

Other Significant Factors:

1. There is a strong commitment to providing a wide range of programs, including:

- An Arts & Technology program incorporating music, visual arts, visual communication, wood/metal technology, food and fabric and instrumental & classroom music

- Outdoor Education programs from Year 9 to Year 12.

- Opportunities to represent the school in various competitive sporting events.

- VCE programs are currently enhanced with VET Engineering, Hospitality, Beauty, Building & Construction, Music, Health Services and Sport & Recreation.

- Careers advice and support from Year 9.

- Skiing and snowboarding, including a Race Team which competes at State and National levels

1. 2. Solid parent and community support is evident in classrooms, through involvement in fundraising activities and membership of College Council and its sub-committees. This support is evidenced in the primary area for the delivery of Literacy programs. The College has developed strong relationships with many community groups within the local area.

3. The College runs an extensive Languages program from Prep to Year 12:

- Japanese immersion program in lower Primary year levels, with Japanese being studied right through Primary school

- Japanese, German and Indigenous Studies in the Secondary area.

- Exchange programs to Japan and Germany by students, teachers and parents.

- 3 month German scholarship Program
- The engagement of language assistants to support delivery of programs.

An Outside School and Vacation Care Program provides a valuable service to families and is managed by TheirCare.

📌 Mental Health Practitioner 0.6 (Alpine Shire)
🏢 Government schools
📍 Alpine Shire