Applications close Monday 16 June 2025 at 11.59PM Overview Overview Work type: Full time Salary: Salary not specified Grade: Ed Support Level 1-Range 4 Occupation: Health and Allied Health Location: Melton Reference: Location Profile Springside West Secondary College was established in 2018, in the growth corridor of the north-western suburbs, in Fraser Rise. Our school is made up of 1600 students and over 190 staff. As a college we embrace diversity and inclusion, and we are committed to students building their skills to achieve a range of pathways. We are a community of learners seeking to challenge each other to grow and embrace learning. Springside West Secondary College is dedicated to fostering an inclusive high achieving culture and encompassing achievement in academic subjects, the arts, sport, and the pursuit of technological vocations. We strive at all times to know our students and direct their learning in accordance with our school values of Growth, Challenge, and Community. Growth: We are motivated learners, always striving for personal development and academic excellence; Challenge: We take responsibility for our learning and seize new opportunities with determination and optimism; Community: We treat all members of our community with respect and are responsible for our actions and environment. 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 prioritiesProviding 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; andCoordinating 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. 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).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). Who May Apply RequiredApplicants 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 AHPRAFor Mental Health Nurses, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA and hold a postgraduate qualification in mental healthFor Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social WorkersFor Occupational Therapists applicants must hold full registration with AHPRAFor 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 experienceA current Working With Children Check.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). EEO AND OHS Commitment 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 (seeWorkplace 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 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: The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. click apply for full job details