Mental Health Practitioner

Work type: Part time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Ed Support Level 1-Range 4

Occupation: Health and Allied Health

Location: Northern Metropolitan

Reference: 1467753

Rosehill Secondary College sits on a spacious, attractive site with views over the Maribyrnong River Valley and is part of the Moonee Valley Network of schools in the Southwest Region. As a 7-12 single campus, co-educational school, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding educational opportunities for all students, delivered by passionate teachers through our comprehensive tailored curriculum. The college values of Respect, Initiative and Learning are underpinned by behaviours that are explicitly taught through the School Wide Positive Behaviours in Schools program. As a lead SWPBS school we are recognised for our exceptional work in this area.

Rosehill Secondary College is a school with a strong academic focus and a history of consistently high academic results. At Years 7 and 8, in addition to core English, Mathematics, Science and elective subjects, students undertake additional Literacy and Numeracy classes. A Selective Talent and Enrichment Program (STEP) is designed to cater for intellectually and academically capable students and this is further enhanced by our Advanced Mathematics (RAMP) and English Programs (REAP) at Years 7-9. The Year 10 level is structured as an introductory year to VCE, with many students embracing the opportunity to undertake advanced studies. Programs such as MYLNS and tutoring have also become embedded within our structure. Rosehill Secondary College has excellent VCE results and is committed to supporting a broad range of careers and further education pathways by also offering the VCE VM program and onsite VET.

Rosehill Secondary College is committed to child safety. Our calm and nurturing environment is reinforced by consistent and effective student management and teaching teams and is further supported by an outstanding and committed workforce consisting of a balance of highly experienced and graduate teachers, a visible Principal Class and committed Education Support Staff. Our inclusive college embraces both social and cultural diversity and we are committed to continuing to effectively implement the Respectful Relationships program.

Rosehill provides excellent facilities for our students with a designated Year 11 Study Centre, and a purpose-built Year 12 Study Centre. An EAL and international student collaboration space complements our International Student Program. As a multicultural community we understand the benefits of globalization and exposing local students to other perspectives and experiences. We enjoy bespoke science rooms, renovated visual arts spaces and a well-resourced library. A new STEM Centre was completed in 2020 and hosts our Virtual Reality experience. In 20e school oval was fully refurbished and together with basketball and tennis courts, weights room and a gymnasium, students have ample space and high-quality facilities at their disposal. Significant passive recreational areas are also available throughout the school grounds. The current capital works program has delivered a state-of-the-art Auditorium and learning facilities including a purpose-built fashion/design area; media room, ceramics room and Music complex. The refurbishment of A Wing was completed at the end of 2024 further enhancing the teaching and learning environment of the college.

The College is in the third year of its Strategic Plan and looks forward to continuing celebrating its strong successes in Literacy and Numeracy, whilst further enhancing student outcomes by providing opportunities through Diversity Inclusion Funding, access to the Mental Health Menu and its strong focus on student agency.

• 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 schools 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.

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

• 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).

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).

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 marrung@education.vic.gov.au

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 departments exemplar available at:

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

The departments employees commit to upholding the departments Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The departments Values complement each schools 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

Please note that this position is 34.2/week across five days - times of attendance and the potential for fulltime can be negotiated. The possibility of commencing prior to 22 April 2025 can be negotiated.

• 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 Departments 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.

• 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 Departments Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

Apply now

Applications close Sunday 16 March 2025 at 11.59PM