Mental Health Practitioner - Melbourne, United States - Schools (Government)

Description

Role

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:

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;
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; and
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:

• 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

Desirable

EEO AND OHS Commitment

The Department of Education and Training 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 ).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: or email on:

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:

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

Location Profile

Tarneit P-9 College is situated in the western suburbs of Melbourne in the local area of Wyndham. Our College was established in 2013, commencing with an enrolment of 331 students. Tarneit P-9 College currently has over 2300 students enrolled for 2023. The Secondary sector of the College is currently experiencing rapid growth. There are over 900 students currently enrolled in Secondary. Over the next 3 Years we predict these numbers will continue to grow.

The College's vision is to provide a quality education which enables all students to progress by more than one year across all academic measures. We are committed to achieving continuous improvement of learning outcomes for all students and we are establishing a reputation of high academic achievement. The College values its motto 'Scientia Lumen Vitae' which means 'knowledge is the light of life'. The College strives for the highest standards in English and Mathematics and compliments this with quality programs in Science, The Arts, Physical Education and French.

At Tarneit P-9 College the following values underpin the actions of our whole community:

• We value our learning.

• We are an inclusive school community.

• We are proud of ourselves, each other and the school.

• We act and are responsible.

The Tarneit community is comprised of diverse family backgrounds, with a high proportion of students coming from Islander, African and Indian communities. 53% of our students speak English as an additional language. The College Student Family Occupation of indicates our community comes from mid socio economic backgrounds.

Tarneit P-9 College provides a comprehensive curriculum for students from years Prep to 9. We are focused on delivering a curriculum that promotes and develops high level literacy and numeracy skills, along with higher order thinking skills. The College is forming strong partnerships with the local kindergartens and Tarneit Senior College to support student transition from K-12. As students progress through school, the curriculum design allows for a variety of subjects to be offered, ensuring that students have opportunities to pursue their own pathway.

The College recognises the importance of the home/school relationships and encourages parent participation at a range of different levels. In partnership with parents and the community, staff members establish high expectations for all students as the standard and provide a safe, supportive environment where students have the opportunity to become productive, knowledgeable and responsible citizens.

The College has developed a Student Learning and Welfare support team, comprising of Psychologists, a Student Welfare Officer, Speech Pathologist and Assistant Principals. The College also works closely with the Wyndham Student Support Services and local organisations to provide a range of supports and interventions for students and their families. The School Wide Positive Behaviour initiative underpins Tarneit P-9 College's approach to wellbeing. The school community has a strong focus on explicitly teaching students the expected behaviours and attitudes aligned with the College values.

The rapid growth of the school community has seen a quick expansion of facilities. The College has a state of the art, two storey building for our secondary students, including specialist spaces for science, the arts, technology and STEM. We also have a large senior library, double basketball court and synthetic soccer/rugby field. The College has also prioritised the development of our grounds, including a fence around the perimeter, grassed play areas, artificial turf areas, playgrounds and a range of shading and seating. The College also integrates the latest technology as a tool to support learning. Interactive whiteboards are installed throughout the main building and LCD screens throughout the other learning spaces. Students in Year 3 to 9 participate in a one to one device program and all learning spaces have access to wireless connectivity.