Mental Health Practitioner

Job Description

Applications close Wednesday 26 February 2025 at 11.59PM Overview Work type: Part time Salary: Salary not specified Grade: Ed Support Level 1-Range 4 Occupation: Health and Allied Health Location: Warrnambool Reference: 1465079Selection Criteria Ability to implement a range of small group and whole-school mental health prevention and promotion activities aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing, including the delivery of capability building and awareness raising activities for staff and/or students on key mental health and wellbeing issues affecting the school’s student population. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies aimed at enhancing mental health and wellbeing prevention, promotion and early intervention. Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling support to clients with a range of mental health needs. Demonstrated experience in coordinating supports for young people with complex needs including referrals to a range of specialist services as appropriate. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people. Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information. Role The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative was announced by the Minister for Education in late 2018 to expand mental health and wellbeing support in government schools. The initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses and specialist school (with secondary-aged enrolments) settings. Operating in collaboration with the relevant Department of Education Regional Mental Health Branch, this role has the following functions: Enhancing mental health prevention and promotion activities in the school by contributing to whole-school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to address matters relating to student mental health and wellbeing, and helping to develop and deliver appropriate programs and strategies in the school according to specified school priorities. Providing early intervention services (including short-term counselling) for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health concerns. Coordinating supports for students with complex needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions, local mental health service providers and other health professionals to engage further support as required. 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). Who May Apply Required Applicants must be qualified as a psychologist, social worker, mental health nurse, occupational therapist or counsellor of a prescribed class. Specifically:For Psychologists, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA. For Mental Health Nurses, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA and hold a postgraduate qualification in mental health. For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers. For Occupational Therapists applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA. For Counsellors applicants must have completed a Bachelor or Master of Counselling and be a practising member of either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Demonstrated direct counselling experience. A current Working With Children Check. For Psychology applicants, specialisation in educational and/or developmental psychology. For Mental Health Nurse applicants, holding a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. For Social Work applicants, membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark. For Occupational Therapy applicants, a Better Access to Mental Health Endorsement. For Counselling applicants, Level 3-4 registration (ACA) or a Registered Clinical Counsellor endorsement (PACFA). EEO AND OHS Commitment The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. 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. Location Profile Merri River School is a special school in Warrnambool which caters for students who have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability. The school was founded in 1989 with a student population of 30. The current student population is 176. In 2020 the school moved into brand new premises on a 7 hectare site situated between Wollaston Road and the Merri River. Merri River School is a centre of excellence providing individualised programs for students with an intellectual disability. The school caters for children aged between 5 to 18 in a small group environment in line with the Victorian Curriculum. Each student has an Individual Learning Plan. The school is divided into four sub-schools: Junior Primary; Senior Primary; Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary. The school is well supported by therapists (speech, OT, physio and allied health), student wellbeing counsellor, and teacher assistants. Merri River School provides educational programs for primary and secondary school aged students with a moderate to severe intellectual disability who may also have sensory, physical impairments and autism spectrum disorder. The school has a multi-disciplinary approach to student learning with input from educators, therapists and parents. Eligible school-aged students living within the designated transport zone have access to free transport to and from school. Applications close Wednesday 26 February 2025 at 11.59PM #J-18808-Ljbffr