School Counsellor

At Catholic Schools Broken Bay, we have acknowledged the need to provide our schools with more dedicated School Counsellors to meet to the growing needs of our families and communities in our ever-changing world.

We are looking for passionate, professional and experienced clinicians who are looking to be part of our communities where they can more greatly assist in the wellbeing of our young people and make a real difference.

We currently have an opportunity for a permanentpart-time Primary School Counsellor at St Rose Catholic Primary School, Collaroy Plateau (1 day per week) and St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School, Naraweena (2 days per week)

This position is for 0.6 FTE working across both locations.

Why join us at Catholic Schools Broken Bay?

We value our employees so they can best support every student entrusted to our care to learn and flourish. This is why we have taken the initiative to get ahead of the market and offer the following unique benefits to our staff:

• Staff Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting the overall wellbeing of our staff, so they have the support they need to thrive, grow and serve our students. This is why we are delighted to have recently launched our comprehensive three-tiered staff wellbeing program.
• Staff School Fee Discounts: Eligible staff receive a 25% discount on their children’s school fees at our schools, pro-rated to their FTE
• Generous leave benefits: including paid parental leave, a greater rate of LSL accrual above the statutory minimum and annual leave loading

The Role

Reporting to the School Counselling Lead, as the School Counsellor, your role is to support and assist systemic schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay to better understand and manage student mental health and wellbeing issues, with a view to improving student outcomes. The Counsellor works within the Wellbeing and Pastoral Care Framework of the system providing specialist and targeted support to students affected by or with mental health concerns or those experiencing significant emotional and behavioural concerns.

About us, our Vision and our Towards 2025 Strategy

Our Vision is to provide 'authentic, professional Catholic education, delivered with care and compassion'. The Vision is underpinned by our exciting and robust Towards 2025 Strategy which places students at the centre of everything we do, and which brings schools and Parishes together to work as one. The Towards 2025 Strategy commits our system of schools to be at least as good as the very best, to maximise the learning growth of every student, and to inspire hearts and minds to know Christ and love learning. Covering an expansive geographical area which includes the Central Coast and Sydney's Northern Beaches and North Shore, Catholic Schools Broken Bay is a system serving 44 Catholic Schools with around 17,000 students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

About You

You are an experienced Psychologist or Social Worker and will be registered with an appropriate professional association (i.e., AHPRA or AASW). This is an essential requirement for the role.

Essential Criteria:

• Understanding and commitment to the ethos of Catholic education.
• Either a Psychologist or Social Worker with registered membership with the appropriate professional association (i.e., AHPRA - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority or AASW - Australian Association of Social Workers).
• A strong understanding of current research and practice in the field of children and adolescent mental health, wellbeing, and education.
• Experience in counselling adolescents using evidence-based interventions.
• Experience in the administration of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural assessments and mental health screeners.
• Knowledge of current child protection legislation.
• An ability to work independently and collaboratively within and across teams to achieve educational improvement and positive wellbeing.
• Excellent oral, written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility to travel to different Schools within the School Cluster
• Valid Working with Children Check for employment

How do I apply?

Applications should include:

• A Cover Letter of no more than two pages addressing why you are interested in the role and addressing each of the specific criteria listed above; and
• A current Resume

Position on COVID-19 vaccinations

Given the current management of risks associated with COVID-19 in the community, and the gradual wind-back of some settings, CSBB has decided to no longer require all staff to be fully vaccinated, effective 19 September 2022. Staff who are not vaccinated will be required to wear masks when working with children at greater risk of serious illness owing to a medical condition and/or physical disability.

Catholic Schools Broken Bay promotes a culture of safety and care for children and young people. The Diocesan Office for Safeguarding Charter provides overarching principles that ensure children and young people are at the centre of the work we do and that every child and young person is encouraged to have a voice and participate in their community to their fullest potential. All employees must be aware of the Diocesan Office for Safeguarding Charter and be committed to organisational child safe standards and practice. Successful applicants for child-related roles must meet the requirements of the Working with Children Check.