Speech Pathologist .4 FTE Negotiable - Commence January 2025Job posted: 12/11/2024Minimum QualificationsAbility 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.EEO AND OHS CommitmentApplicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment-free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.Child Safe StandardsVictorian 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.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 sectionnames and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two refereesPlease 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.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.Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at HR Website.Location ProfileMaffra Secondary College is a regional college which caters for students in Years 7-12. Maffra is located two and half hours from Melbourne but within one hours drive of both the sea and mountains. Our enrolments sit at approximately 540 and a majority of our students travel to and from our school by bus from neighbouring towns. This number of students makes it small enough to allow positive relationships to be formed, but large enough to provide a wide range of options for our students.Maffra Secondary College provides learning and leadership opportunities for all students both within the school and the wider community. There is a focus on providing a positive learning environment where all individuals are accepted, inspired and empowered to succeed.In 2021 we launched the new school values to the students and to the school community after a review in 2020. Our College values Respect, Learning, Community and Resilience guide and underpin our high expectations of behaviour for staff, students, and our parent/caregiver community.In 2022 we launched the new Explicit Instructional Model (EIM) for staff. Our student leadership team is currently developing a `student responsibilities for learning' model to align to this. This year all staff are undertaking professional learning focused on EIM, the Science of Learning and we have an explicit focus on the consistent implementation of our SWPBS Framework.#J-18808-Ljbffr