Mental Health Practitioner

Job Posted 3/5/2025

State Government of Victoria, Australia

Not Specified, Melbourne

Category Healthcare

Job Description

Applications close Wednesday 12 March 2025 at 11.59PM

Overview Work type: Full time Salary: Salary not specified Grade: Ed Support Level 1-Range 4 Occupation: Health and Allied Health Location: Southern Metropolitan Reference: Location Profile Southern Autistic School (SAS) is a specialist school dedicated to the education of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and with significant deficits in language. SAS provides evidence based educational programs to meet the learning needs of children with a diagnosis of ASD. A focus of the current Strategic Plan is making the school a centre of excellence and expertise in the delivery of education for students with autism.

The school is located in the South Eastern Region in East Bentleigh with approximately 280 students aged from 3 to 18 years. Classes have six to ten students with all children having an individual learning plan. Individual Learning Plans are based on the Victorian Curriculum with a focus on developing communication, social interaction and independence skills.

The class teacher is supported by a teaching assistant. Speech pathologists support the development of individual communication programs and occupational therapists add to the comprehensive educational team. A clinical psychologist and an experienced social worker work with families and students to further enhance student wellbeing.

At SAS we implement the Victorian Curriculum and enhance our teaching and learning programs through the use of evidence based approaches and strategies. This includes the implementation of STAR and LINKS, use of Hanen Strategies, explicit teaching and PECs. Our Secondary Programs provide great vocational education opportunities in addition to recreation and community access. Our Early Education Program utilises Hanen Strategies, and implements aspects and strategies from the Early Start Denver Model.

There are four sub schools on the same campus each led by a highly experienced school leader. Learning Specialists additionally support the development of teaching and learning programs. Our specialist programs vary across the sub schools however include ART, Media ARTS, Physical Education, Music and Cooking. The Primary aged students also attend a Swimming Program with a magnesium pool on site.

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support principles and approaches are key to supporting student engagement and data. The school is committed to the development of the whole child and works in partnership with parents. We have a supportive parent community who regularly communicate with staff.

Vision Statement:

The SAS vision for students is to develop lifelong learners who have a sense of belonging and are encouraged to implement their skills and knowledge to make choices and accept responsibility for their decisions. Our SWPBS values are: 'I am Safe, I am a Learner and I Belong'

Selection 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).

Providing advice and professional learning to others, including teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students wellbeing, learning and developmental outcomes.
Delivering professional support services in a school, including mental health prevention and promotion activities and early intervention activities (including short-term counselling) for students with a range of mental health needs, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
Planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate to effectively manage risk.
Working collaboratively with the school to enhance mental health prevention and promotion across the school by contributing to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers.
Liaising with other department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide appropriate support to students.
Maintaining professional competence and continued professional development, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
Meeting relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information, privacy and consent.

Please note: Continued professional development is a registration requirement under the National Law, which governs the operations of the National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

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 Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
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