A full boarding school, Worawa was established as a response to the needs of Aboriginal adolescents and the difficulties these young people experience in the mainstream educational system. The diversity of Aboriginal Australia is reflected in the student population drawn from communities across the country. Worawa provides a holistic education based on an integrated Education, Culture, and Wellbeing model.

This position requires the incumbent to embrace the right to Aboriginal self-determination and Aboriginal Ways of Knowing, Doing and Being, recognising Aboriginal values and decision making processes. The College recognises the importance of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of its students and the need to create an environment/community that supports them to flourish and bring them to their full potential.

Located on a beautiful 136 acre property in the Yarra Valley (60 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD), Worawa Aboriginal College is a boarding school for Aboriginal girls in their secondary years of schooling. An Aboriginal initiative, Worawa is an Independent school, owned and governed by Aboriginal people, and operates on a philosophy of ‘Walking Together to Make a Difference’.

Worawa Aboriginal College is an equal opportunity employer, has a commitment to child safety and has zero-tolerance for child abuse.

About the position

The College is seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and flexible leader who demonstrates initiative and drive for the newly created position of Head of Student Wellbeing.

Reporting to the Deputy Principal, the Head of Student Wellbeing will lead the Wellbeing team and is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the student social and emotional wellbeing strategy. This role will play a significant role in the welfare, support and pastoral care needs of the students in the College, coordinate proactive wellbeing programs and take a lead role in the case management of students.

The Head of Student Wellbeing is a full time role, working 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The successful candidate must have:

• Post graduate qualification in psychology
• Mental Health or Wellbeing experience in public, private, primary health and/or educational setting
• Membership with an appropriate professional body such as AHPRA, AASW or other recognised counselling body or association
• To have a working knowledge of Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and other legislative Child Safety, Mandatory Reporting and Duty of Care requirements
• Knowledge of crisis and trauma counselling, significant experience in restorative practices
• Prior experience in the provision of counselling and group work to youth
• Prior experience as a team leader / coordinator in a relevant field and a demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team
• An ability to develop functional working relationships with the breadth of staff at Worawa and external educational and wellbeing services
• Proven ability to deliver strategic wellbeing initiatives and innovative solutions
• Current Working with Children Check and Police Check
• Current drivers licence
• Provide First Aid in an Education setting (or willing to obtain)

Desirable requirements:

• Experience in a similar role in the education environment
• Experience working with the Aboriginal community and a demonstrated understanding and knowledge of the diversity of Aboriginal cultures and issues affecting the Aboriginal community
• Understanding of educational settings and experience working with Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

To discuss this role in more detail please contact Taryn Hocking on (03) 8845 8344 or [email protected] using the subject line: Head of Student Wellbeing / Psychologist enquiry via EthicalJobs.