Mental Health Practitioner

Dear Applicant,

As this position closes over the holiday period, on this occasion Mrs Michelle Carmody is contactable via mobile 0408 557 ***.

Mortlake P-12 College is a learning environment that serves the rural district surrounding Mortlake, a sheep, beef, cropping and dairy farming area about 50 kilometres north of Warrnambool. In 2024 our student enrolment is 184 and we have 22 teaching staff and 13 education support staff.   

As a P-12 school we believe a great strength is our ability to provide a seamless transition between primary and secondary schooling as we have an extensive knowledge of every students' learning and social needs.  We place a high emphasis on developing not just a student's academic progress but their learning growth as individuals in all areas including their Mental Health and wellbeing.  Our school has a focus on continuous improvement in every aspect of school life.

Our school goals focus on improving our students levels of achievement in all domains of the curriculum. We are a PLC (Professional Learning Community) school and we are committed to implementing the DET FISO (Framework for Improving Student Outcomes). Our PLC focus brings together teams of teachers and leaders with a singular focus on ensuring success for every student. Our PLCs are characterised by teacher collaboration, shared practice and collective responsibility. The work of PLCs is undertaken through regular cycles of disciplined, collaborative inquiries.

The physical layout of the school reflects the sub school groupings with areas for Years P-6, Years 7-10 and Year 11 and 12 VCE/VCA/VET.

In the Year 7-10 Sub School, we offer a Core Curriculum (English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Physical Education and Health). In addition, we offer a broad range of elective subject choices (Arts, Technology, Humanities, Science and Physical Education) for students. In more recent times we have added virtual learning to our school. Over the last couple of years, the school has embraced a whole school one to one Chromebook program where every students from Year 3 to Year 12 is able to have access to a school subsidized device 24/7.  

Our school provides students with the opportunity to excel in a range of `enrichment programs, performing arts (professional standard school productions), access to South West TAFE & Corangamite Trade Trading Centre, public speaking; instrumental music, sporting teams, camps and excursions at all year levels.  We combine the best of a traditional approach to teaching with innovative and exciting programs at all levels.

Mortlake College is proud of its achievements in student learning. We have a strong focus on literacy and numeracy at all levels.  One of the great strengths of the school has been our excellent VCE & NAPLAN results over a long period of time. Our staff is committed to providing students the best possible chances to maximize their results through smaller class sizes and knowledge of individual student learning.

We have a very strong welfare support team across the school including a Welfare Officer, a School Nurse, a Secondary Mental Health Practitioner and a School Chaplain. We are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for all our students so that they can reach their potential and experience success.

Our school has also undergone significant physical changes over the past 3 years within excess of $3 million dollars being spent on upgrading our senior classrooms and primary school area. We are continuing to invest heavily in our school buildings and grounds. We are aiming to develop an inviting and stimulating learning environment.

Mortlake P-12 College is an excellent educational institution that is focused on continuous improvement. 

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.

• 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.
• 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