Mental Health Clinician

Doveton College is a unique, diverse and vibrant learning community.  It is unlike any other educational setting in Australia.  Doveton College resides in one of the most disadvantaged metropolitan regions of Australia.  It is the first of several settings to be developed that link the Victorian Government and Philanthropic funding organisations.

In 2009, the Colman Foundation approached the Victorian Government with a desire to become directly involved in the education of young people who come from a background of disadvantage, including high migrant and refugee groups.  

Doveton College is complex in its operation; it seeks to support, foster and develop opportunities for all members of the Doveton Community, including children, young people, and adults.  The focus is on providing high-quality teaching and learning programs across the 0 ¿ 15 range, with additional learning opportunities for parents and the wider community members.  It offers wide wrap-around educational and allied health support for Baby College, Maternal and Child Health services, and Adult Learning opportunities.  The Wellbeing team is multidisciplinary, comprising Social Workers, Allied Health staff, Paediatricians, a GP, and family support services. We work closely with Monash Health, DHHS, Child First, Headspace, and Foundation House. We offer NDIS school-based services, including art and play therapy, occupational therapy, and physio and dietetics.

The Berry Street Education Model was introduced at Doveton College in 2015. Staff have embedded the training, curriculum and strategies to engage even the most challenging students. This education initiative is based on proven positive education and trauma-informed wellbeing practices that enable students¿ academic and personal growth. The model is unique because it educates schools and their leaders to reinforce and sustain cognitive and behavioural change, thereby re-engaging young people in learning and progressing their academic achievement.

On any week, the College is a vibrant learning hub with 130 children in early learning, 640 students in Foundation to Year 9, 150 involved in play groups, 70 regular volunteers and 150 participants in adult education courses.  The community expectation is that the College will provide a safe and secure environment where the individual student can learn and develop to their full potential. In the school setting, high-quality teaching and learning is non-negotiable. 

All staff are expected to commit to driving this agenda by their professionalism and dedication to the Doveton College vision.  The Doveton College vision is clear and is based on the belief that every child will succeed.

KSC 1 Demonstrated highly developed counselling and therapeutic skills when working with primary and secondary aged children.

KSC 2 Demonstrated knowledge of, and skills in trauma symptomology and treatment, child/adolescence development, family systems, attachment, abuse/neglect, cumulative harm and neglect. 

KSC 3 Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, other professionals, and community stakeholders and experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships.

KSC 4 Experience in the initiation, development, and implementation of programs that foster resilience in children and young people and address their social, emotional and educational needs. 

KSC 6 Demonstrated experience in the facilitation and implementation of group   programs.

The Student Wellbeing Mental Health Clinician (0.8) at Doveton College supports students aged between Year 7 Year 9 with targeted therapeutic goals to assist in their engagement in education. 

An integral component of this role is to:

·         Liaise with the wellbeing team to develop and implement streamlined referral processes and pathways. 

·         Provide comprehensive, individualised, goal-focused care for students' Mental Health through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of clinical interventions. 

·         Contribute to the design and development of group programs that align with the organization's mission and the evolving needs of the youth population.

·         Deliver evidence-based interventions for students who present with more severe & complex Mental Health issues.

·         Provide care coordination, including attending case conferences, facilitating linkages to GPs and supporting referrals to external agencies.

·         Engage families and carers in treatment planning and family work where appropriate.

·         Attend internal and external relevant meetings where relevant.

·         Advise the Wellbeing Coordinator and Leadership Team of any incidents impacting students' wellbeing in a timely manner.

·         Attend wellbeing and required Staff meetings. 

·         Provide professional development/staff training as required.

·         Any other duties as directed by the Wellbeing Coordinator/Leadership team. 

The Mental Health Clinician will contributes to the development of high-quality interventions and programs that promote wellbeing and engagement throughout the College and will possess the following:

·         Ability to work with young people and their families/carers with Mental Health issues in an early intervention framework.

• Ability to assess and respond to clinical risks.
• Skills in developing collaborative and comprehensive care plans.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders i.e. young people, GPs, schools, government agencies, private practitioners etc.
• Highly developed interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, problem-solving, and negotiation skills, especially with young people in the early stages of help-seeking.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and reach out for help openly.
• High level of computer literacy utilising MS Office applications (Word, Excel and Outlook) and the ability to work from electronic medical records.

·         Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Desirable:

·         Demonstrated experience in working with young people and their families.

·         Demonstrated experience in working with young people in the context of more severe & complex Mental Health issues.

·         Experienced in the provision of Mental Health assessments and psychoeducation to young people experiencing complex Mental Health difficulties.

·         Experience in working within a school context.

·         Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

·         Proven ability to work confidentially and productively with a high level of tact and diplomacy

·         A tertiary qualification in youth work, social work, social sciences or relevant Mental Health degree or diploma.

·         Employee Working with Children Check 

Highly regarded Qualifications and/or Certifications

·         Postgraduate qualification in a related field.

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

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 (see Workplace 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 *******@education.vic.gov.au

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:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department'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 department values is available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

• 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

Please ensure that your application includes:

• A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
• A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
• Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.

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.

• 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