Job Description
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Occupation:
Health and allied health
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Location:
Melbourne - Northern suburbs
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Reference:
Selection Criteria n
KSC1 ¿ Student Counselling and Wellbeing
n Demonstrated experience providing counselling and wellbeing support to young people experiencing social, emotional, behavioural and/or mental health concerns.
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KSC2 ¿ Assessment, Intervention and Case Management
n Demonstrated ability to assess student wellbeing needs, manage a student caseload and provide appropriate interventions, safety planning, referrals and follow-up within established skilled and organisational parameters.
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KSC3 ¿ Professional Knowledge
n Demonstrated knowledge of child and adolescent development, mental health, trauma-informed practice and contemporary approaches to supporting the wellbeing, engagement and inclusion of young people.
Role n
No School Holiday attendance.
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Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
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Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
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The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
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This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
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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 **** (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 n
Classification:
Education Support Class Level 1 Range 3
Time Fraction:
0.8 EFT
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 3:15pm
Reports To:
Principal Team, Business Manager and Wellbeing Coordinator
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The Student Counsellor is a key member of the Thornbury High School Wellbeing Team and provides counselling, wellbeing support and case management to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural and mental health concerns.
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The Student Counsellor works directly with students to identify wellbeing needs, provide appropriate short-term counselling and intervention, develop support and safety strategies, and facilitate referrals to external services where required.
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The role works collaboratively with students, families, the Wellbeing Team, Sub‐School Teams, Mental Health Practitioners, Disability Inclusion staff and external health and community services to support student wellbeing, engagement and participation at school.
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The Student Counsellor exercises qualified judgement within established Department and school policies, procedures and professional parameters. The role contributes professional knowledge and advice to support coordinated responses to student wellbeing needs but does not have responsibility for the clinical management or overall management of the school's wellbeing service.
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Responsibilities
Selection Criteria n
KSC1 ¿ Student Counselling and Wellbeing
n Demonstrated experience providing counselling and wellbeing support to young people experiencing social, emotional, behavioural and/or mental health concerns.
n
KSC2 ¿ Assessment, Intervention and Case Management
n Demonstrated ability to assess student wellbeing needs, manage a student caseload and provide appropriate interventions, safety planning,



referrals and follow-up within established professional and organisational parameters.
n
KSC3 ¿ Professional Knowledge
n Demonstrated knowledge of child and adolescent development, mental health, trauma-informed practice and contemporary approaches to supporting the wellbeing, engagement and inclusion of young people.
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KSC4 ¿ Communication and Relationships
n Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish effective professional relationships with students, families, school staff, external agencies and allied health professionals.
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KSC5 ¿ Collaborative Practice
n Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary school environment and collaborate with relevant staff, families and external services to provide coordinated support for students.
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KSC6 ¿ Professional Practice and Organisation
n Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accurate and confidential records, together with an understanding of child safety, privacy, mandatory reporting, information sharing and appropriate professional boundaries.
Role n
No School Holiday attendance.
n
Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
n
Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
n
The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
n
This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Skilled student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
n
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 **** (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 n
Classification:
Education Support Class Level 1 Range 3
Time Fraction:
0.8 EFT
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 3:15pm
Reports To:
Principal Team, Business Manager and Wellbeing Coordinator
n
The Student Counsellor is a key member of the Thornbury High School Wellbeing Team and provides counselling, wellbeing support and case management to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural and mental health concerns.
n
The Student Counsellor works directly with students to identify wellbeing needs, provide appropriate short-term counselling and intervention, develop support and safety strategies, and facilitate referrals to external services where required.
n
The role works collaboratively with students, families, the Wellbeing Team, Sub‐School Teams, Mental Health Practitioners, Disability Inclusion staff and external health and community services to support student wellbeing, engagement and participation at school.
n
The Student Counsellor exercises professional judgement within established Department and school policies, procedures and professional parameters.



The role contributes professional knowledge and advice to support coordinated responses to student wellbeing needs but does not have responsibility for the clinical management or overall management of the school's wellbeing service.
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The Student Counsellor will:
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Provide individual counselling and wellbeing support to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural and mental health concerns.
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Undertake initial assessment and triage of student wellbeing needs and determine appropriate supports, interventions and referrals within the scope of the role.
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Manage a caseload of students requiring ongoing wellbeing support and maintain appropriate follow-up and review processes.
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Identify and respond appropriately to student risk and safety concerns in accordance with Department and school policies, including escalation to appropriate staff or services where required.
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Contribute to the development, implementation and review of individual student support, wellbeing and safety plans in collaboration with relevant staff, students and families.
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Facilitate referrals to appropriate external health, allied health, community and specialist services and support communication between the school, families and external providers.
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Build positive and professional relationships with students and provide a safe, respectful and inclusive environment in which students can seek support.
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Liaise with parents and carers regarding student wellbeing where appropriate and in accordance with privacy, consent, child safety and information‐sharing requirements.
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Work collaboratively with the Wellbeing Coordinator, Mental Health Practitioners, Sub‐School Leaders, Year Level Coordinators, Disability Inclusion staff and other relevant staff to coordinate student support.
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Participate in student support and case management meetings as required.
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Provide professional advice and consultation to relevant school staff regarding student wellbeing needs, appropriate supports and referral pathways within the scope of the role.
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Support mediation and restorative conversations where appropriate.
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Contribute to the planning and delivery of targeted student wellbeing programs, small‐group interventions and preventative wellbeing initiatives.
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Support students experiencing barriers to engagement, attendance or participation by contributing to coordinated school‐based interventions.
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Maintain timely, accurate and confidential records of student contact, counselling, referrals, interventions and relevant wellbeing information in accordance with Department and school requirements.
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Use Compass, eduSafe and other approved Department or school systems as required for student wellbeing records and reporting.
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Support the appropriate management and archiving of student wellbeing records in collaboration with relevant school staff.
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Contribute to SEAS and scholarship applications where relevant to the student's circumstances and within the scope of the role.
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Maintain knowledge of relevant Department policies and requirements relating to student wellbeing, child safety, privacy, information sharing, mandatory reporting and professional conduct.
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Participate in relevant professional learning, supervision and team meetings.
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Undertake other duties consistent with the classification and responsibilities of the position as directed by the Principal or Business Manager.
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Qualifications
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Relevant tertiary qualifications in counselling, youth work, social work, psychology or a related discipline are highly desirable.
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Child Safety
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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 (including Ministerial Order ****). The school's Child Safety Code of Conduct and all relevant child safety policies are available on the school's website.
Who May Apply n
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
Diversity and Inclusion n
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).
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Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal

📌 Student Counsellor (Es1-3) (Victoria)
🏢 State Government Of Victoria, Australia
📍 Victoria