• The Austin School is looking for a part time 0.2FTE Mental Health Practitioner
• Further information can be found at the Department of Education and Training’s Recruitment Online portal
• Job Number 1228533
• Salary Range $85,871 - $101,249

• Applicants must submit resume with responses to the selection criteria below

About Our School

The Austin School is a P-12 School that provides specialised educational programs for children and young people who are patients of Austin Health. Whilst there are places for 50 fulltime students, many students attend the School in a part time capacity. In total the 16.2 effective full time (EFT) school teaching staff may see up to 100 students each term and usually more than 400 students each year.

Students must be referred to the School by Austin Health. Student referrals come from the Austin Child & Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS), either inpatient or outpatient teams, the Pediatric Ward or Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Hospital. All students have a physical and/or mental health diagnosis. Mental health diagnosis may include psychiatric, emotional or behavioural problems. Physical health problems may include eating disorders, spinal injuries, acquired brain injury, and a range of other medical conditions.

Outpatient programs are conducted on a school term basis, whilst the length of each inpatient admission will vary from a few days to a few months. A number of students may need to be re-enrolled.

Curriculum

The curriculum is developed against the Victorian Curriculum and the special needs of the students with significant focus placed upon development of Literacy Skills, Personal and Social capabilities. Establishing appropriate educational and behavioural goals is an integral component of each student’s case management plan. Students participate in social and educational group programs designed to develop appropriate social interaction and improved work habits. Programs are developed to provide students access to a wide range of educational and community experiences.

Programs at The Austin School are based upon the following principles:

• All students will best learn in an environment that is safe, secure and supportive.
• Students have the right to achieve success in the curriculum activities provided.
• Students have the responsibility to learn to be accountable for their behaviour.
• A close and positive relationship between the student, parents, clinical staff and teachers will contribute significantly to the achievement of the best possible outcomes.

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.

ROLE

The Premier of Victoria issued a media release on 7 August 2020, announcing increased mental health supports for Victorian students. A part of this announcement was the Mental Health Practitioners in Specialist Schools initiative, which provides funding to every specialist school with secondary-aged enrolments to employ a suitably qualified Mental Health Practitioner.

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:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Documents/VGSA-2017.pdf

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Deliver professional support service/s in a school/s, including running targeted group programs for students with a range of mental health issues, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
2. Plan and implement evidence-based intervention programs for students with complex needs including collaborating with teaching staff and Austin Health CYMHS, 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. Demonstrate leadership and provide 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: 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

Required

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.
• Hold full registration with the requisite professional body where applicable
• For Social Work applicants, be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers
• Have demonstrated direct counselling experience
• Have a current Working with Children Check.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience woking with people with disabilities.
• 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.