Ascot Vale Heights School (formerly Ascot Vale Special School) is a state government school that provides high quality education to students with mild intellectual disabilities. We assist students between 5 and 18 years to address their learning difficulties and develop a wide range of life skills that enable them to participate fully in life's daily activities. It is located in the Travancore Estate of Ascot Vale.

The school offers excellent programs to promote the learning and independence skills of all students.

Specialist classes include Physical Education, Music and STEM, Art, and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen and Garden Program.

Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in their children’s education. A number of information sessions and programs to support parents are held throughout the year.

For further information please visit www.ascotvalehs.vic.edu.au

Key Selection Criteria

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

Role

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

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 and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health needs;
• coordinate supports for students with critical needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions and other health professionals to engage further support as required; and
• enhance 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.

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 this page.

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.

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

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.

Who May Apply:

Applicants must be qualified as a psychologist.

Specifically: Psychologists, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA

Have demonstrated direct counselling experience

Have a current Working With Children Check

For the psychologist to have, specialisation in education, clinical or developmental psychology.

The applicant will be expected to work onsite from 8.30am to 4.30pm.