about us

Phoenix P-12 Community College is a large coeducational school, located in Sebastopol, which is a suburb of Ballarat. We service a wide geographical area including the suburbs of Delacombe, Redan and Sebastopol and rural townships within the Golden Plains.

We are proud to be a community school which delivers learning programs for students from foundation through to the completion of year 12. Our College community includes a diverse range of families from various socio-economic backgrounds. The College prides itself on delivering outstanding academic and co-curricular educational opportunities for all students. Our goal is to develop respectful and responsible global citizens, who are empowered to strive for the pathways of their dreams, whether that be university, TAFE or work. At Phoenix we believe all students can learn and every child has a right to be literate, numerate and curious about the world they live in. To ensure that our students are encouraged to be active global citizens we create an ICT rich learning platform where every child has access to a high quality device with contemporary functionality.

At Phoenix P-12 Community College we have a commitment to ongoing instructional improvement. We understand the importance of explicit teaching, most especially in the domains of literacy and numeracy. We intentionally build teacher capacity through PLC cycles, regular coaching, observation and feedback. Student engagement is developed through purposeful, student centred learning that is grounded in an agreed instructional model. At Phoenix we are committed to building individual and collective efficacy as a key strategy for ensuring that all students have the opportunity to achieve optimal learning growth.

Phoenix P-12 Community College is committed to implementing FISO 2.0 and has a clear focus on nurturing Learning and Wellbeing. To ensure that every child has a point of connection and belonging we have established smaller communities within our school known as Learning Villages.

Our Villages are organised in the following way:

• Foundation to Year 4 – located on the Redan Campus
• Year 5 to Year 6 – Located on the Sebastopol Campus
• Year 7 to 10 – Located on the Sebastopol Campus
• Year 11 to 12 - Located on the Sebastopol Campus
• DOTS (Developing Other Talents and Skills) – Grant St Campus

The College values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Cooperation and Excellence are at the core of all relationships at Phoenix and guide every daily interaction. We know that quality relationships which are based on mutual respect are the key to us achieving our purpose. We are committed to strengthening the partnerships between parents, teachers and students.

In alignment with FISO 2.0 at Phoenix we place a high priority on the development of wellbeing and inclusion both for students and staff. In addition to the integration of SWPBS and Respectful Relationships we are proud to be a TRP school. A comprehensive student wellbeing team is in place to ensure that we meet every individual at their point of need. This diverse team includes, Dr’s In Schools, Youth Workers, Social Workers and other allied health members. This expert team delivers a comprehensive suite of programs and services that build student wellbeing, connection and identity. The College transitioned effectively to DET’s DIP process and supports student diversity through a comprehensive range of intervention programs.

At Phoenix we strive to provide our students with a complete learning experience that extends beyond the classroom. We offer an extensive co-curricular program that includes sport, drama, music, public speaking, student leadership and the arts. We actively encourage our staff to engage with the myriad of clubs and community activities offered to students.

At Phoenix P-12 Community College we are proud to cater for all students, we excel in the provision of broad, flexible and inclusive educational pathways. Our Senior School structure has embraced the implementation of the new VCE and we are proud to offer a wide range of VCE and VET subjects both at school and through the cluster. Our Managed Individual Pathway (MIP’s) Team has expert knowledge and skills and our ability to support the transition to university, TAFE or work is exceptional. Senior students are supported by our designated VCE study centre, complete with a study centre manager, tutors and individually selected mentors.

about the Role

The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) initiative provides for a suitably qualified mental health professional in all government secondary school campuses.

Operating in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training's Area-based multi-disciplinary teams, this role will have the following functions:

• Provide direct counselling support and other early intervention services for individual students and groups identified as at-risk and/or experiencing or demonstrating mild to moderate mental health needs;
• Coordinate supports for students with critical needs both within and external to the school, including proactively working with regions and other health professionals to engage further support as required; and
• Enhance promotion and prevention activities in the school by contributing to whole school health and wellbeing plans, building the capability of teaching staff and school leadership to manage student health and wellbeing, and helping to embed mental health promotion and prevention programs and strategies in the school.

Education support class level 1 range 4

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).

For more information on the responsibilities of an Education Support class level 1 range 4 employee, please visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/rolesTS.

Responsibilities

1. Deliver professional support service/s in a school/s, including the direct counselling for students with a range of mental health issues, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
2. Plan and implement evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate, and manage the associated risks.
3. Work collaboratively with the school to contribute to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers.
4. Provide leadership and professional learning to others, such as teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students’ learning and developmental outcomes.
5. Liaise with other Department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide support to students.
6. Maintain professional competence and continued professional learning, including attending professional development activities throughout the year.
7. Meet relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information privacy.

Please note:

• The relevant enterprise agreement underpinning this position is the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2017.
• Continued professional learning 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

Applicants must:

• hold a Bachelor qualification or specialist/post graduate qualification where applicable in:
  • Social Work
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Nursing with a mental health specialisation
  • Psychology.
• have demonstrated direct counselling experience.
• have a current Working with Children Check.
• For Mental Health Nurse, Psychologist and Occupational Therapists, applicants must hold full registration with the requisite professional body.
• For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Desirable:

• For Social Work applicants, hold membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark.
• For Mental Health Nurse applicants, hold a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
• For Occupational Therapist applicants, hold a Better Access to Mental Health endorsement.
• For Psychology applicants, specialisation in education and/or developmental psychology.

Please ensure that your application includes:

• a resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
• a section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
• names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees.

Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling for a range of mental health issues.
2. Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for clients with complex needs.
3. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies relating to mental health and wellbeing.
4. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people.
5. Ability to provide leadership and professional learning that informs and influences the work of others involved in the engagement and wellbeing of children and young people.
6. Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information.

how to apply

Please click 'Apply Now' below to submit your application.