Position Information
The NSW Department of Education serves the community by providing world-class education for students of all ages. We ensure young children get the best start in life by supporting and regulating the early childhood education sector. We are the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. We are committed to fostering vibrant, sustainable and high-performing vocational and higher education sectors. We are responsible for enacting NSW Government policy, driving improvement in education, and overseeing policy, funding and compliance issues relating to non-government schools. We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as First Peoples of Australia.
The Leader Psychology Practice leads and supervises a team of Senior Psychologists Education to provide high quality psychology services in NSW public schools.
The Leader Psychology Practice develops and implements strategies to enhance psychology services in schools, including professional development and support for the school counselling workforce.
The Leader Psychology Practice will not be required to teach or undertake teaching duties as defined by the Teacher Accreditation Act 2004 as amended.
NOTE: Recreation leave and flexible working hours
The Leader Psychology Practice is employed under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013, remunerated for 52 weeks per annum and required to work for 48 weeks with 4 weeks recreation leave. Requests for recreation leave may not be approved during school term time and the Leader Psychology Practice is required to work during the student vacation period unless on a form of approved leave. Requests to take flex days in accordance with the Department’s Flexible Working Hours Agreement will be considered subject to the operational requirements of the school and are generally only approved during the student vacation periods.
Conditions
Talent Pool
A recruitment pool will be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role or similar roles, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, short term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.
Special Notes
About the NSW Department of Education
Additional School Information (Optional)
The Department of Education are recruiting for a Leader Psychology Practice in the following locations - Willians Hill School
Key accountabilities
1. Provides professional practice supervision to Senior Psychologists Education and District Guidance Officers, including professional support in complex case presentations
2. Engages with and implements the procedures of the Professional Practice Framework for the NSW School Counselling Service
3. Supports principals in the implementation of performance and development processes for Senior Psychologists Education and District Guidance Officers
4. Leads the development and implementation of effective models of peer consultation and group supervision within the school counselling service
5. Leads and supports high quality professional development and professional practice supervision of the school counselling service, including those working towards registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia
6. Advises Senior Psychologists Education and District Guidance Officers in the development of the professional practice of the school counselling service with a focus on improving student outcomes
7. Supports the implementation of the core school counselling allocation to schools and recruitment processes for the school counselling service
8. Provides specialist advice to senior officers within the Department on matters requiring psychological expertise, and to schools experiencing serious incidents
Key challenges
9. Establish effective, evidence-based supervision processes for school counselling staff, whilst maintaining the dual responsibility of clinical and administrative supervision
10. Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including multidisciplinary teams, to identify and respond to complex and sensitive issues relating to the delivery of school counselling services
Essential Requirements:
11. Registration as a psychologist
12. Valid and current Working with Children Check clearance
13. Current driver’s licence and ability to travel between work sites
14. Australian citizenship or permanent residency
15. A cover letter (maximum of 2 pages) that addresses the key accountabilities and challenges of this role as outlined in the Role Description
16. Your resumé (maximum of 3 pages) which clearly details how your capabilities, knowledge and experience can contribute to this role
17. Written responses answering the three targeted questions (maximum 300 words each). We are looking for you to demonstrate your competence in the focus capabilities as outlined in the role description in your answer, so please develop your response with this in mind.
18. Names and contact details of two recent professional referees. Referees are to be professional referees from the last 3 years, who have known you for a minimum period of 6 months in a professional context. At least one referee is to be a current or recent line manager within the last 2 years.
The selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Please note that it is a requirement that all candidates submit their applications online. No paper based, email based or late applications will be accepted. For the application process, you must also answer the pre-screening questions listed below.
Targeted Question 1
Describe your capacity to professionally develop and supervise the clinical practice of senior psychologists education and district guidance officers, including professional support in complex case presentations (maximum 300 words).
Targeted Question 2
What capabilities, knowledge and experience do you have that will allow you to lead school counselling staff to support student wellbeing and mental health (maximum 300 words)
Target Question 3
Outline your extensive understanding of legislation, policy and procedures relating to psychology and wellbeing services in NSW public schools and the standards of the Psychology Board of Australia (maximum 300 words)