Role
This is a full time position. The start date can be negotiated.
The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses.
Operating in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training's Area-based multi-disciplinary teams, this role will have the following functions:
1. provide direct counselling support and other early intervention services for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health needs
2. coordinate supports for students with critical needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions and other health professionals to engage further support as required
3. enhance promotion and prevention activities in the school by contributing to whole school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to manage student health and wellbeing, and helping to embed mental health promotion and prevention programs and strategies in the school.
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 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:
Responsibilities
1. Deliver professional support service/s in a school/s, including the direct counselling for students with a range of mental health issues, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
2. Plan and implement evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate, and manage the associated risks.
3. Work collaboratively with the school to contribute to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers.
4. Demonstrate leadership and provide professional learning to others, such as teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students’ learning and developmental outcomes.
5. Liaise with other Department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide support to students.
6. Maintain professional competence and continued professional learning, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
7. Meet relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information privacy.
Please note:
• The relevant enterprise agreement underpinning this position is the .
• Continued professional learning 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:
4. hold a Bachelor qualification or specialist/post graduate qualification where applicable in Social Work Occupational Therapy Nursing with a mental health specialisation Psychology.
5. have demonstrated direct counselling experience.
6. have a current Working With Children Check.
For Mental Health Nurse, Psychologist and Occupational Therapists, applicants must hold full registration with the requisite professional body.
For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Desirable
For Social Work applicants, hold membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark.
For Mental Health Nurse applicants, hold a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
For Occupational Therapist applicants, hold a Better Access to Mental Health endorsement.
For Psychology applicants, specialisation in education and/or developmental psychology.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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.
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 DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at
Other Information
Please ensure that your application includes:
7. A detailed resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
8. a section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
9. names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of 2-3 referees
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
10. All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
11. Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
12. A probationary period applies during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
13. Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at
Location Profile
Box Hill High School is a learning community that fosters resilience, a passion for lifelong development and a commitment to impacting the world in positive ways.
The school was established in 1930 and has a long tradition of striving for academic excellence and establishing a strong positive learning environment for all students.
We are a co-educational and multi-cultural school with 1500 students enrolled from year 7 to 12. We have 132 teaching staff and 34 ES staff as well as a team of 3 Principal class officers.
The school’s motto ‘ad altiora certamus’ (to strive for the higher things) underpins all that we do. Combined with our school values of Respect, Creativity, Resilience and Growth we focus on developing young people who have high expectations of themselves and are ready and able to make a positive impact locally and globally.
Student learning, engagement and wellbeing is central to our work and the school has a range of programs in place to support the learning and growth of all students. These include our well established SEAL program (GAPP), Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) as well as intervention programs in both Literacy and Numeracy.
Students have the opportunity to further develop their skills and talents through a variety of additional programs and extra-curricular activities including sports, music, performing arts, solar cars, robotics, debating, leadership programs and numerous clubs. There are also several opportunities for students to further their own personal development and enhance their global perspective through a range of international programs including a German Exchange Program, The World Challenge, USA Space Camp and the Victorian Young Leaders to China Program.
Student leadership, voice and agency is a priority at the school. Students have multiple opportunities to contribute to school governance as well as to shape the future direction of the school. Student leaders drive improvement in the areas of community, teaching and learning, environment and engagement and wellbeing.