Mental Health Practitioner - 0.8

McKinnon Secondary College is a Year 7 to 12 co-educational school with a student population of over 2500. The College was founded in 1954 in the south-eastern Melbourne suburb of McKinnon. The main campus on McKinnon Road caters to Years 7, 10, 11 and 12. In 2022, a second campus was opened at the nearby Virginia Park site off East Boundary Road dedicated to Years 8 and 9. 

McKinnon Secondary College is an accredited school with the Council of International Schools and strives to prepare its students to thrive in a world which values interpersonal skills as much as academic excellence. McKinnon does not believe in a `one size fits all' education and offers a positive, caring and safe learning environment in which all students can achieve success through its comprehensive and differentiated curriculum, and an extensive extra-curricular program.

McKinnon Secondary College lives by its motto `Wisdom and Service' by actively promoting a culture that celebrates the achievement of excellence, that values and respects individual diversity and that encourages participation by all members of the community. Students at McKinnon are very conscious of the opportunities being offered to them and take pride in themselves and the College. Student voice is valued at the College as is student welfare. Mindfulness is factored into the daily routine with positive benefits. Student achievements are formally recognised and celebrated in College publications, at whole school assemblies, on the school's website and at the annual Presentation Assembly.

The College's positive culture, high expectations and rigorous teaching and learning program have consistently translated into excellent VCE results.  These factors have maximised tertiary educational opportunities with over 95% of our students going on to study at university.  In addition, VCAL provides an applied learning pathway for students. Aside from a reputation for academic excellence, McKinnon also has well-regarded art, music and sporting programs, as well as an impressive array of extra-curricular offerings. Our students regularly participate in community events and festivals, and represent the school at regional, state and national level. The richness of the College program allows students to flourish as they pursue their particular interests and goals.

McKinnon Secondary College values the unique contributions graduate teachers bring to the learning experience, whilst recognising the period of adjustment these teachers face when entering this dynamic profession. In recognition of this, McKinnon employs two Learning Specialist Coaches, dedicated to supporting the needs of graduate teachers.

These Learning Specialist Coaches support graduate teachers through scheduled coaching sessions, classroom observations and assistance through the VIT registration process. This provides a safe space for these educators to learn from, and receive targeted feedback from experienced specialist teachers, accelerating their development toward dynamic, effective and confident teaching professionals.

McKinnon has established itself as an IT leader in the education space, being recognised as Australia's first Google Reference School. IT has become central to the school's learning programs and administration. With the opening of the new campus the school is further investing in STEAM-focused technologies.

The College has always relied on the commitment of its parent body through which the school council has provided support for teaching programs and facilities. With the addition of the new East Campus and the construction of the impressive new gymnasium at the Main Campus, the College has high-quality sporting facilities, a Lecture Theatre, and attractive ground spaces for students to socialise and be active.

The McKinnon school community is determined to meet the challenges of the modern world with a continuing commitment to our core values.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Demonstrated experience in coordinating supports for young people with complex needs including referrals to a range of specialist services as appropriate.
5. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
6. Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.

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 priorities
• Providing 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; and
• Coordinating 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.

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 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 the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/industrial-agreements/resources

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Maintaining professional competence and continued professional development, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
7. 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). 

Required

• Applicants 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 AHPRA
  • For Mental Health Nurses, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA and hold a postgraduate qualification in Mental Health
  • For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers
  • For Occupational Therapists applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA
  • For 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 experience
• A current Working With Children Check.

Desirable

• 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).

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.