Mental Health Practitioner

Job posted: 07/06/2024

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating supports for young people with complex needs including referrals to a range of specialist services as appropriate.
• Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
• 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.

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).

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Maintaining professional competence and continued professional development, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
• 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.
• 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

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:

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:

• 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

Yarram Secondary College offers Year 7 to Year 12 coeducation across two campuses, located 220 kilometres from Melbourne. The township of Yarram, population 2100, is a central hub for the surrounding smaller, rural and agricultural communities of Woodside, Alberton, Devon North and Port Albert.

The main campus has a large site with several ovals, sealed and covered recreational areas, and garden spaces. These surround a central core structure of 25 teaching and learning spaces, an administration block, a library, an open learning space, and a two-court shared community stadium. The smaller Devon North Campus, caters for students who have disengaged, or are at risk of disengaging from mainstream education. Our FLO campus has two teaching classrooms, a communal meeting area, a designated art space, a yarning circle and a life skills classroom.

YSC is a member of the Wellington Network of Outer Gippsland, South Eastern Victoria Region. It is the major destination for students graduating from the four local primary schools (government and catholic). It attracts 96 per cent of the intake pool at Year 7, with the nearest alternative secondary schools situated over 50 kilometres away. Total enrolment numbers have been relatively stable, currently at 330, but have started to decline. The projected numbers over the next few years are similar to this year with only small numbers coming through from our feeder schools. The school provides for students in the township and those who are bussed in from surrounding areas (approximately 160 students).

Students attending YSC, come from a range of family backgrounds, with an overall Student Family Occupation and Education index of There has been a notable change to economic circumstance due to the impacts of COVID, the dairy industry, and rising interest rates and this has impacted the wellbeing and provision for families. Assistance is provided through individual educational plans for Koorie students, Out of Home Care students and those on the Program for Students with Disabilities (including a specialised wellbeing and inclusion space). The current staffing profile is stable and includes : two principal class members, two leading teachers, two learning specialists and 25.9 equivalent full-time teaching staff (EFT) and 18.1 EFT education support staff.

While our school motto is `Learning for Life¿ and opportunities to `learn local, live global¿ are embraced. The tradition of developing the whole student through a balanced and differentiated academic program, which is underpinned by vocational outcomes, and a focus on social and emotional wellbeing continues. Our vision encompasses this tradition, ¿Yarram Secondary college is a school of and for the Yarram and District Community, preparing all students to develop their social, emotional and academic skills, whilst supporting, nurturing and accelerating their ability to excel in their chosen pathway¿.

YSC is structured into two distinct Sub-Schools; Years 7-9 Middle School and Years 10-12 Senior School. Each Sub-School has a clear focus and vision. The Middle Sub-School focuses heavily on the development of each student¿s academic, social, emotional and physical well-being and growth. All students in Years 7-9 participate in the Targeted Acceleration Program (TAP); a visionary reading advancement program designed by the world-renowned cognitive psychologist Dr. Carol Christenson. Students in the Middle School are exposed to all curriculum areas and participate in collaborative, inquiry subjects which build students¿ 21 st century learning capabilities in Year 8 Broadening Horizons and Year 9 Community. All of our school curriculum is based upon the Victorian Curriculum, as set out by VCAA.

The Senior Sub-School has a clear focus on providing the best possible pathways for all students; whether this be tertiary study, further training, or employment. Senior Sub-School pathways include the Victorian Certificate of Education, which includes a range of Vocational Education and Training options (on and off site), and a Vocational Major. Some of our students also complete VCE units via online delivery methods through Virtual Schools Victoria (VSV), and the Victorian Virtual Learning Network (VVLN).

Enrichment opportunities are provided at YSC through art, music, chess, instrumental music, performance, productions, leadership, public speaking, camps and excursions, sport, and external online and residential academic programs in global citizenship, Maths, Science and Engineering.

When global connections are reintroduced, students will be exposed to cultural enrichment through our Sister School program in China, which involves reciprocal exchange visits, the Victorian Young Leaders to China, the Victorian Young Leaders to India program, and a biannual USA STEM Study tour, which incorporates learning opportunities at NASA. Our Year 12 students will also be offered the opportunity to take part in an end of secondary school trip to Cambodia to undertake humanitarian and environment work.

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