• Incentive Payment

About our College

Sunbury College is a vibrant, cohesive and inclusive school located 35km (about 30 minutes drive) from the CBD in Melbourne’s north-west growth corridor. The college holds the values of respect, responsibility, resilience and endeavour as guiding principles. It has a focus on the academic growth, personal development and general wellbeing of each student. It is greatly valued by its local community of Sunbury and surrounds, and is experiencing growing enrolments.

The student enrolment is currently 1170. The staff are in the main a mixture of mature, experienced teachers in the expert range along with a number of graduates providing the school with an energetic mix. Our staff are committed, professional and collaborative. They value continuous improvement and development.

A comprehensive curriculum is offered from years 7-12, including VET options, and the college is organised around these sub-schools (Years 7-8, 9-10, 11-12) and four houses. The college has well established co-curricular programs with high interest and success in sport, the performing arts, student leadership and student engagement activities.

Sunbury College is set on eight hectares and has well-established facilities in the final stages of being modernised. Our new classrooms and science building are now fully established.

Our strategic directions going forward have a strong emphasis on pedagogical development and on student agency and voice in their learning. In the area of student pathways and transition the college aims to provide a post compulsory program, counselling and advice that maximises the further education, training and employment options for all students. As part of its focus on student engagement and wellbeing, the college has undertaken to provide a supportive and productive learning environment supported by positive student and teacher relationships that promotes overall wellbeing and engaged, motivated learners with a strong sense of connection to the school community

Role

Range 4 is distinguished by broader management responsibility, particularly in the areas of finance, human resource and other support functions. Range 4 is responsible for managing a range of functions under a wide range of conditions, subject to the size and complexity of school operations.

Objectives will, generally, be clearly defined; guidelines will be broad and day-to-day direction minimal. Management responsibility extends to ensuring appropriate support levels are maintained across the school. Range 4 generally provides key support and timely advice to the leadership team and school council and liaises with the general school community, the Department and other government agencies and service providers.

Specialised professional roles will carry a high level of independence and accountability where suitable scope is provided to achieve objectives.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee¿s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Responsibilities, Duties and essential job functions of the Student Counsellor

Counselling and psychological services:

• Provide direct support and services to students and their families to address their social and emotional needs. This can include, but not limited to such things as critical incident response, advocacy, support for students and their families and liaison with external community service providers.
• Coordinate the delivery of wellbeing student support services within a multi-disciplinary team across the school and provide expert advice to improve the wellbeing of the school community.
• Lead the student wellbeing team to create, develop and evaluate programmes that meet the needs of the whole school community. The role will require an understanding and implementation of budgets and other administrative tasks.
• Provide support to staff in regards to addressing significant mental health concerns in young people and providing a case management approach while also performing long term interventions.
• Support the schools identification, development and evaluation of educational, social and emotional programs providing prevention, intervention and postvention stages, particularly in respect to students who are vulnerable or have additional needs.
• Provide expert and detailed advice and support to principals, school staff and school communities that will enhance the learning, development and wellbeing of students, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

Professional relationships:

• Lead the student wellbeing team to address and achieve school priorities for students wellbeing and engagement.
• Contribute to the development of strategic interventions that support capacity-building related to student learning, engagement and wellbeing consistent with the priorities of the school and Department of Education.
• Lead and personally deliver support services that address varied mental health concerns in young people.
• Directly provide wellbeing support to a case load of students.
• Lead and provide support to a multi-disciplinary professional team that provides wellbeing support to students.

Professional contributions:

• Contribute to the professional learning of staff on child development, emotional and psychological issues
• Promote a model of good mental heath for staff, students and families
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of parent education seminars
• Participate in relevant classroom programs as required and/or offer specialised groups on targeted areas eg. social skills, study skills

Other:

• Attend parent information evenings
• Assist with the critical incident response where necessary
• Participate in relevant professional development activities

Selection Criteria

1. SC1 Experience in the development and implementation of programs, procedures and processes that foster resilience in children and young people to address their social, emotional and educational needs.
2. SC2 Demonstrated capacity and experience in working as part of a collaborative team and contributing expert knowledge and advice to meet the needs and achievements of the team.
3. SC3 Demonstrated experience in delivering professional development to other staff around youth mental health and developing network opportunities within the school community.
4. SC4 Well developed and demonstrated knowledge of mental health interventions, risk assessment skills and counselling skills to meet the wellbeing needs of the school community.
5. SC5 Formal qualifications in the area of counselling, social work or psychology and the ability to qualify for membership to the ACA, PACFA, ASWA or APS.

Who May Apply

Qualifications

• Registered Psychologist, social worker and / or counsellor
• Experience working in schools is an advantage

Other skills and attributes

• Discretion and confidentiality are essential attributes to this position
• Demonstrated proficiency in core psychological interpretation and report writing
• Initiative and confidence to make contributions and suggestions
• Highly effective verbal and communicating skills, using tact and diplomacy
• Critical thinking when problem solving
• Time management skills - able to work to deadlines and capable or directing others when necessary
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Overall good interpersonal skills when working in a team environment

Other Information

The Student Wellbeing Coordinator will work as part of a wellbeing team delivering positive wellbeing outcomes for students. The Wellbeing team includes -

• Wellbeing Coordinator
• Two Youth Workers
• Mental Health Practitioner
• Student Counsellor
• Adolescent Health Nurse

This position attracts an incentive payment of $8,000 (pre-tax) for the successful candidate who meets the eligibility criteria set out under conditions of employment. The payment is paid in 50% instalments following 6 months and 12 months of employment

For any questions regarding the position, please contact the Principal, Mr Craig O'Bree on 0428 634 371.

To apply, please click Apply Now to complete the application through Recruitment Online (ROL).

It is important to address each of the key selection criteria and include a Cover letter and CV.