Elisabeth Murdoch College (EMC) is a coeducational secondary college, 7-12, located in the south eastern suburb of Langwarrin with a current student population of 1800. The College is positioned as the first choice for local families. An enrolment zone is in place. We care about developing each of our students as a whole child. We build relationships and offer opportunities that position students for their pathway to success.

The College adopts evidence-based strategies to support student’s social and emotional learning. We offer a learning environment where all students can achieve their best and be positioned for a positive pathway. Respect, Empowerment, Aspiration, Courage, and Honesty are the core values that guide our work. We set high expectations for all students in all aspects of school life.

Elisabeth Murdoch College leads and implements initiatives and strategies to support the wellbeing of students, staff and the wider community. EMC is a lead school for the Department of Education Respectful Relationships initiative. We also have a newly established Inclusive Education team supporting students with additional needs including the new Tier 2 disability inclusion approach and Disability Inclusion Profiles (formerly Program for Students with Disabilities). EMC drives reconciliation in education, and celebrates and supports our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through our endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan. We are proud to work in partnership with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to support students building strength in cultural identity in engagement activities across the College.

Elisabeth Murdoch College is proud to offer a diverse set of pathways to cater to every aspiration. We strive to meet the learning needs and passions of every student, while also creating a supportive environment with opportunities for students to develop an individual sense of self and belonging to the community.

Key Selection Criteria

(Please respond to the Key Selection Criteria when applying for this position)

KSC 1: Demonstrated capacity to provide wellbeing support to young people and families in an educational setting, including experience in the development and implementation of individual support, group programs and whole cohort strategies and approaches.

KSC 2: Demonstrated capacity to assess and establish the needs of student cohorts based on data collation, devise and implement relevant evidence based strategies and programs, based on best practice.

KSC 3: Highly developed communication, interpersonal and networking skills with a demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with young people, parents and carers, school staff and other professional agencies, including Care Teams.

KSC 4: Demonstrated ability to design, deliver and/or broker professional development to staff and community including provision of information, consultation and resources.

KSC 5: Demonstrated capacity to reflect critically upon their own professional practice and apply the knowledge, skills and expertise derived from ongoing professional learning.

KSC 6: Knowledge and understanding of Child Safe Standards as relevant to education settings.

Role Responsibilities:

Student support

• Coordinate support of students including liaising with families, College staff, external agencies and regular Student Support Group meetings
• Conduct assessments of students including risk assessments
• Develop and implement acute interventions for identified students; including assessment and development of safety and support plans for identified students in consultation with relevant school staff, the student and their family
• Design and deliver small group programs to empower students to be happier, healthier and more resilient
• Provide critical incident coordination and support including following policies and procedures
• Develop and implement strategies and actions to deliver outcomes related to DET identified vulnerable cohorts to ensure all students achieve positive education experiences and outcomes
• Support student/staff requests for assistance in the application of reasonable adjustments and modifications
• Support implementation of Positive Education Framework as related to student wellbeing

Teacher capacity

• Act as resource for teachers to build their capacity in the identification and development of educational, social and emotional supports to assist students who are vulnerable or have additional needs
• Coach and mentor staff in the implementation of interventions and support strategies
• Deliver and participate in staff professional learning sessions and attend staff meetings

Policies and processes

• Work collaboratively with the Wellbeing Team and the College Leadership Group to develop, update and review wellbeing policies and processes
• Input into Strategic Planning
• Supervision of tertiary placement students

Stakeholder relationships

• Strengthen links, referral pathways and collaborate with other health professionals and a range of community organisations and government agencies related to wellbeing
• Actively contribute to a range of College-based teams including attendance of out of school hour events where appropriate (eg Grade 6 Information Night)

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. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the Department’s exemplar available here

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’s Values complement each school’s own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the DET values is available at here

Organisational Relationships

Reports to: Head of Wellbeing and Support

Internal Liaisons: Business Manager, Assistant Principals

External liaisons: SSSs, agencies, community, parents

Must be qualified in any of: Social Work, Social Sciences, Psychology, Youth Work, Counselling, Occupational Therapy, or, any other relevant qualification. Applicants must have experience in an educational or mental health setting.

If relevant to your qualification, eligible for board registration of qualification.

Employee Working with Children Check

Police Check Required

Start Date: 08 August 2022

End date: 23 June 2023 (potentially may be extended)