Mental Health Practitioner

Camberwell High School opened in 1941 with an enrolment of 350 girls and boys. Today we have 1000 students who continue to thrive in a school community which promotes contemporary learning and takes pride in its long history and rich traditions.

The school’s motto Disco Consulere Aliis (Learning to be considerate of others) underpins all that we do. Combined with our school values of achievement, creativity, respect and responsibility we focus on developing learners who excel, have high expectations of themselves in all they do and are ready to make an impact within the global community as active and engaged citizens.

A key document that outlines the school’s educational vision is the Camberwell High School vision for learning. As a school community we value learning that is transformative, focused on growth, dynamic and built on positive relationships and respect.

The purpose of this role is to coordinate welfare structures and practices to support students and staff in this school. Camberwell High School’s approach to welfare recognises the best learning environment and the best educational outcomes are achieved through the shared partnership between students, parents and teachers. This partnership is based on a commitment to shared responsibility, cooperation and respect.

The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative provides for a suitably qualified Mental Health professional in all government secondary school campuses.

• This position will be working within a small Allied Health team and supported and overseen by the Assistant Principal (Wellbeing). 
• Further, monthly clinical group supervision for Mental Health Practitioners will be facilitated by Orygen for the Year of 2024. These sessions are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for MHPs to debrief and reflect on practice issues, deidentified individual cases and to help identify, manage and prevent work stressors. The sessions will enable MHPs from across the state to come together to form professional networks and extend their practice.

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 identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate Mental Health concerns
• provide direct counselling support and other early intervention services for small groups (where appropriate)
• coordinate supports (both within and external to the school) for students with critical and complex, including proactively working with regions and other health professionals to engage further support as required
• enhancing Mental Health 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.

Responsibilities:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Maintain professional competence and continued professional learning, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
• Meet relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information privacy.

Selection Criteria:

1. Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling for a range of Mental Health issues.
2. Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for clients with complex needs.
3. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and strategies relating to Mental Health and wellbeing.
4. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
5. 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.
6. Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information. 

Required:

Applicants must:

• Applicants must be qualified as a psychologist, social worker, Mental Health nurse or occupational therapist. Specifically:
• For Psychologists, applicants must hold full registration with the requisite professional body.
• 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
• Demonstrated direct counselling experience
• A current Working With Children Check.

 Desirable

• For Social Work applicants, hold membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark.
• For Psychology applicants, specialisation in education and/or developmental psychology.

Applicants must include the following:

• A cover letter
• Brief Statements addressing each of the selection Criteria
• your resume/CV detailing employment history
• names and contact details of two professional referees