LOCATION PROFILE:

Diamond Valley Special Developmental School is recognised as an innovative specialist school that strives for sustainable school improvement. As a dual campus school, we are located in Greensborough and Whittlesea catering for a school population of approximately 145 students.  Students who attend have a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability; many students also have additional disabilities such as a physical disability or autism spectrum disorder.

Our values are Respect, Integrity and Responsibility. We are committed to ensuring everyone’s world becomes a better place by enhancing life opportunities. We strive to confidently promote a vibrant learning community; an inclusive and supportive educational experience. We will foster a community in which we live, laugh and learn together.

The school has several offsite classrooms at two satellite schools including Briar Hill Primary School and Greensborough Secondary College. Groups and programs are organised after consultation and consideration of the student’s age, capabilities and compatibility.

With our commitment to child-centred learning, we have developed a physical environment that caters for the individual needs of all our students. With an on-site horse riding program, hydro pool and spa, gymnasium, liberty swing and beautiful grounds and play spaces for children, our environment is one conducive for maximising learning opportunities.

The school consists of a multi-disciplinary team of teachers, educational support staff, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and physiotherapists who work in consultation with families and students to set goals and implement programs to address the learning needs of each student. Groups and staffing are organised to maximise benefits to communication, student learning and welfare.

Diamond Valley SDS is a school that strives towards our students being able to say ‘whatever they want, to whoever they want,(Gayle Porter.) As a result, we ensure that every student has a communication system that supports their communication needs. All staff encourage and celebrate student voice and agency, and we take pride in being leaders in this space.

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: www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/rolesTS.aspx

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Maintain professional competence and continued professional learning, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
7. Meet relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information privacy.

Please note:

• The relevant enterprise agreement underpinning this position is the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2017.
• Continued professional learning is a registration requirement under the National Law, which governs the operations of the National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling for a range of mental health issues.
2. Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for clients with complex needs.
3. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and strategies relating to mental health and wellbeing.
4. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
5. 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.
6. Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information. 

WHO MAY APPLY:

Required

Applicants must:

• hold a Bachelor qualification or specialist/post graduate qualification where applicable in: Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Nursing with a mental health specialisation, Psychology.
• have demonstrated direct counselling experience.
• have a current Working With Children Check.

For Mental Health Nurse, Psychologist and Occupational Therapists, applicants must hold full registration with the requisite professional body.

For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Desirable

• For Social Work applicants, hold membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark.
• For Mental Health Nurse applicants, hold a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
• For Occupational Therapist applicants, hold a Better Access to Mental Health endorsement.
• For Psychology applicants, specialisation in education and/or developmental psychology.

EEO & OHS COMMITMENT:

The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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.

CHILD SAFE STANDARDS:

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 www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

DET VALUES:

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx.

OTHER INFORMATION:

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.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• 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 www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT:

A person is not eligible for employment in the Teaching Service unless that person meets the vaccination requirements on commencement in the position.

Click the Apply Now button below, and search for job #1258903 to submit your application.