Mental Health Practitioner

Job type: Part time / From 28/01/2025
Organisation: Schools (Government)
Salary: Salary not specified
Occupation: Health and Allied Health
Reference: 1457442
Selection CriteriaAbility 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.RoleThe 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.Who May ApplyRequired 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).Conditions of EmploymentAll 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.Location ProfileLocation Profile Camperdown College is a co-educational P-12 school with a strong and proud tradition of supporting students to achieve successful outcomes.
The school is located in the beautiful Lakes and Craters district of south-west Victoria.
Prep-Year 6 students are located at the Junior Campus and Year 7-12 students at the nearby Senior Campus.
The College has a generous ratio of staff to students, enabling maintenance of small and supportive class sizes from Prep all the way through to Year 12.
We value the individuality of students and provide a friendly, safe, cooperative and challenging environment.
Innovative practice supported by extensive resourcing lays strong foundations in the early years, with emphasis on literacy and numeracy.
The learning progress of students across thirteen years of schooling is closely monitored and teachers work in teams to plan and teach for continuous improvement.
Students have the opportunity to undertake tailored pathways which provide a strong foundation for further education, employment or other training programs.
VCE, VM, VET, Structured Workplace Learning and School Based Apprenticeships enrich the offerings for senior students.
Camperdown College is part of the Corangamite Trade Skills Centre Cluster and a Hairdressing training facility has recently been constructed on the Senior Campus site.
Major building and refurbishment projects at both campuses over the course of the previous strategic plan mean that all students are now enjoying modernised, spacious learning environments.
The athletics precinct and stadium at our nearby Frederick Street site is a facility enjoyed by our students and the wider community.
Camperdown College has successfully re-established itself as a school of excellence and the College is well placed to embrace the challenge of sustaining a culture of high expectations and performance.
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