Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Part-time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 4

Occupation: Health and allied health

Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs

Reference: 1544127

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

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 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).

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

- 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 career 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 [email protected]

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

Heatherwood School is seeking a Mental Health Practitioner ¿ Counsellor to support the mental health, wellbeing, engagement and educational outcomes of secondary students with mild intellectual disability. The role will contribute to a strengths-based, inclusive and student-centred approach, recognising the relationship between mental health, wellbeing, learning and successful participation in school and the broader community.

The Mental Health Practitioner will work as an integral member of the school¿s multidisciplinary team, collaborating with teachers, Education Support staff, wellbeing and engagement staff, allied health professionals, families and external service providers. The role will provide evidence-informed counselling and therapeutic support, early intervention, prevention, consultation and capacity building, with a focus on responding to individual student needs and strengthening the capability of staff to support student mental health and wellbeing. The successful applicant will contribute to a coordinated whole-school approach that promotes positive mental health, engagement, inclusion and improved outcomes for students.

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

About Heatherwood School

Heatherwood School is a proud government, co-educational secondary school for students with mild intellectual disabilities, located in Donvale in Melbourne¿s inner eastern suburbs. Established in 1958, Heatherwood draws students from a wide geographical area, with approximately 90 per cent of students travelling to and from school via school buses.

Our students are at the heart of everything we do at Heatherwood. They bring energy, humour, curiosity and individuality to our school every day. We celebrate who they are, what they can do and the progress they make. Our staff build strong relationships with students and work alongside them to discover their strengths, build confidence, develop independence and experience success.

Heatherwood School caters for approximately 220 students from Year 7 to Year 12. Our curriculum is age-appropriate and based on the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, with responsive learning to meet the individual strengths, needs and aspirations of every student. Students access learning from Foundation Level C (FLC) and above, with a strong focus on developing both academic and functional skills. The school also offers the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) in Years 11 and 12.

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), Heatherwood provides students with opportunities to gain recognised qualifications through Certificate courses including Hospitality, Sport and Recreation, Agrifoods, Computer Technology and Retail. Alongside these pathways, students participate in a rich range of specialist, vocational and community-based learning programs including Digital Technology, Physical Education, Food Technology, STEM, Outdoor Education, Horticulture, Protective Behaviours and Visual Art.

Our students also have opportunities to develop real-world skills through programs such as Future Ready, Work Experience and Independent Living Skills. A strong Camp Program provides students with opportunities to challenge themselves, build friendships, develop resilience and independence.

Heatherwood School has an extensive range of learning facilities, including a gymnasium, kitchens, digital technologies and science spaces, an onsite house for living skills, kitchen garden, fitness areas, playgrounds, horticulture facilities and basketball courts. The new Specialist Hub will be finalised this year and will include a performing arts space, trade kitchen and dining area, food technology facilities and a creative digital space.

Teachers and ES staff work closely together as a team to support students to learn, participate, develop their independence and achieve their goals. We value collaboration, strong relationships, high expectations and a shared commitment to seeing the very best in every student.

At Heatherwood, we are proud of our students, our staff and our commitment to `Learning for Life¿.

Applications close Tuesday 29 September 2026 at 11.59pm Posted 16 September 2026

📌 Mental Health Practitioner - Counsellor (East Melbourne)
🏢 Victorian Government
📍 East Melbourne