AddressWild Cherry School is seeking a Part Time (0.4FTE) Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader to join our community until the 6th of December 2024.
The role provides a proactive focus for the promotion and prevention of Mental Health and wellbeing through assessment and implementation of context-relevant programs, approaches and initiatives based on a broad and extensive knowledge of the needs of the school.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role is not a clinical role and is not designed for direct intervention. The role is seen as a key conduit in creating referral pathways once a teacher or other staff member identifies a concern in the classroom.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders are provided training in Mental Health literacy, supporting emerging needs, and building school capacity and receive ongoing support and professional development through structured and regular Communities of Practice. Training is developed and facilitated by the Melbourne Graduate School of Education at University of Melbourne, supported by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
The role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader is to:
- Build capability of the whole school with regard to Mental Health and wellbeing (identification, promotion and prevention),
- Provide support to staff to better identify and support students with Mental Health needs,
- Establish clear pathways for referral for students requiring assessment and intervention and monitor and evaluate student progress.
Responsibilities
Operating in collaboration with their school, leadership and wellbeing team where relevant, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader will:
- Promote a whole school approach to Mental Health and wellbeing to students, staff and families
- Support teachers and school staff to expand their capacity to embed evidence-based Mental Health strategies, interventions and programs and build Mental Health literacy to identify and support primary school students with Mental Health concerns.
- Collaborate with school staff to inform, influence and provide input into teaching and learning relating to Mental Health and wellbeing. Provide support to school's staff and classroom teachers to build their capabilities to embed Mental Health into the classroom.
- Work with school leadership and wellbeing teams to embed whole school approaches to Mental Health into school planning and strategic processes. Coordinate clear referral pathways internally (within school) and externally (to community services) for students identified as requiring further assessment and intervention.
- Proactively work with and support regional staff, school wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers and other external agencies to coordinate targeted Mental Health support for primary school students.
- Contribute to the school’s existing wellbeing team.
Key selection criteria
- SC1 ‘Content of teaching and learning’. Demonstrated ability to inform and influence the work of others involved in the engagement, Mental Health, wellbeing or learning of children and young people.
- SC2 ‘Teaching practice’. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies relating to Mental Health, wellbeing or learning.
- SC3 ‘Assessment and reporting of student learning’. Demonstrated ability to support a student’s Mental Health, wellbeing or learning by developing and maintaining connection with external services.
- SC4 ‘Interaction with the school community’. Demonstrated high level interpersonal skills and communication skills. Demonstrated high level of capability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, other employees and the broader school community to focus on student learning, wellbeing and engagement.
- SC5 ‘Professional requirements’. Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate by gaining buy-in and ownership for ideas, gaining agreement to proposals, or involving experts or other third parties to strengthen a case.
Who may apply?
Applicants should be currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach.
A qualification in student wellbeing or Mental Health is desirable but not required.
Wild Cherry School, PO Box 416
Bairnsdale VIC 3875, Tel 03 5152 1***
*********@wildcherry.vic.edu.au
Applications close Friday 21st June 2024.
