Mental Health Practitioner (Ed Support Level 1-Range 4)

Job posted: 02/04/2024

Job type: Full time / From 06/05/2024

Organisation: Schools (Government)

Salary: Salary not specified

Occupation: Education and Training

Reference: 1408897

Selection Criteria Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling for a range of mental health issues. Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for clients with complex needs. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and strategies relating to mental health and wellbeing. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people. Ability to provide leadership and professional learning that informs and influences the work of others involved in the engagement and wellbeing of children and young people. Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.  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.

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:

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. Provide leadership and 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  Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022

¿ 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:

hold a Bachelor qualification or specialist/post graduate qualification where applicable in: Social Work Occupational Therapy Nursing with a mental health specialisation Psychology. have demonstrated direct counselling experience. 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.

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 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.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

Conditions of Employment 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 Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx Location Profile Kambrya College is a co-educational Government secondary school in Berwick, Victoria, Australia. In 2024, we have a student population of over 2100 students. We offer a broad range of programs from Year 7-12, culminating in highly effective VCE (academic and vocational majors) programs in the senior years. Our VCE results place us in the top 13% of Victorian Government Secondary Schools.

In the Junior School (Years 7-9) we operate four vertical sub-schools which each reflect one of our core values (integrity, achievement, respect and compassion). Students join one of these four sub schools and remain in this sub school with their peers and a core group of teachers until the end of Year 9. Senior School students are still part of a sub school however they have their own separate buildings and facilities including a study room and access to a small kitchen.

We have a strong focus on student health, engagement and wellbeing, and we are use a  School Wide Positive Behaviour System  to recognise student behaviours and create a culture of mutual respect. We have a large Student Health, Wellbeing and Engagement Centre which hosts a range of clinicians and counsellors to support students. We have a range of tailored programs to support both the emotional and academic development of our students.

Our annual Student Attitudes to School survey results demonstrate that we are a school on a strong trajectory of improvement, and in the last five years we have increased all measures significantly. Many are now in the top 20% of the state, and some even in the top 10%.  Overall, we increased from the bottom 49% in 2017 to the top 25% of all Victorian Government Secondary Schools in 2022. 

Our staff culture is one of both high expectations and collective efficacy. Our annual DET staff opinion survey results consistently show that we are 10-20% above the state average in all core indicators, such as school climate, collective efficacy, collective focus on student learning, and staff trust in colleagues.  Overall, our staff survey results show that for school climate indicators we are in the top 10% of all Victorian Government Schools. Our College also has a strong focus on developing leadership skills for staff, and we have a broad range of leadership positions available for staff to progress their careers. We take particular pride in our approach to supporting and mentoring teachers who are new to the profession.

Our College has a great range of facilities, including seven fully functional science laboratories, three kitchens (including one hospitality centre), a three court gymnasium complex, a 200 seat performing arts theatre, woodwork and systems technology rooms and art studios. The College has a strong focus on developing numeracy and literacy skills for all students and has a range of programs to support student development. To support aspiring athletes, the College also runs an Athlete Development Program and has recently constructed a new fitness centre to support their program. Our vocational training facilities for senior students include fully equipped centres for Building and Construction, Plumbing, Hairdressing, Beauty Services, Hospitality and Kitchen Operations, and Sport and Recreation Management.

Kambrya builds and maintains strong international connections with sister schools in Japan and Germany. Furthermore, the College facilitates a range of Australian based camps and experiences for students.

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