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VPS5 Ongoing - Part Time (0.5 FTE) position
About the Department
The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.
About the Group
Schools and Regional Services (SRS) offers central, regional, and local expertise to enhance learning and development outcomes, supported by a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. It comprises 17 areas within 4 regions, backed by 5 central office divisions, all collaborating to deliver improved outcomes for early childhood services, schools, communities, and learners, in line with Education State commitments. SRS regions serve as a bridge between the central office, schools, and service providers, ensuring smooth transitions for learners and achieving the department's ambitious targets. Each region includes divisions specialising in school performance, student wellbeing and early childhood support, working with area-based teams to tailor local interventions and practices. The 17 areas provide crucial insights into local trends and issues, facilitating effective policy and program development and driving child and learner outcomes across all services and programs.
This role is located in the Mental Health Branch, Student Wellbeing and Engagement Division, North West Victoria Region, SRS. The Regional Mental Health Branch will support schools in all aspects of student mental health and wellbeing, including implementation of the Mental Health Practitioners initiative, the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu, and the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative. The team will also have a role in supporting the development of partnerships between Areas and schools with key stakeholders, including local mental health services.
About the Role
Working as part of a Regional Mental Health Branch, the Mental Health Coordinator will provide expert advice and operational support for the ongoing implementation, reporting and improvement of key mental health and wellbeing initiatives and reform in Victorian primary, secondary and specialist schools.
The Mental Health Coordinator will provide operational support to help ensure effective implementation, reporting and improvement of three mental health related initiatives across the region to facilitate their contribution to improving students' mental health and wellbeing, and increased engagement of students in school.
In particular, the Mental Health Coordinator will:
* be a key regional point of contact on mental health issues in liaison with Regional Mental Health Managers and Central Office
* provide data to central office on key indicators to inform the evaluation of key initiatives
* support the development of guidance and resources to enable:
o an integrated and consistent practice model across the Region (including coordination with Area teams and community mental health services)
o the implementation of alternative delivery options for difficult to fill positions (e.g. clustering, sharing facilities, engaging external suppliers)
o workforce planning (e.g. identification of opportunities for schools/services to work together)
* assist in the coordination of:
o professional supports for key workforces (e.g. MHPs) including Communities of Practice
o regional responses and liaison with relevant services where appropriate.
This position will report to the Regional Mental Health Manager.
For more information, see the Mental Health in Schools policy on the Policy and Advisory Library.
The position is based in the Greensborough office and will require travel across the region.
Attributes
Please respond to the Key Selection Criteria for this role. These are found in the Position Description.
Criteria 1: Demonstrates the 'Victorian Public Sector Values' of Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights.
Criteria 2: ‘Flexibility and Adaptability'
Criteria 3: ‘Team Management'
Criteria 4: ‘Critical Thinking and Problem Solving'
Position Specific Criteria: ‘ Partnering and co-creation'
Qualifications and Experience
Essential: Relevant tertiary qualification in mental health, education or related field.
Desirable: Experience working in youth and adolescent mental health.
The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Working With Children Check.