Job DescriptionLocation: Gippsland | WarragulJob type: Part time / From 28/01/2025 - 26/01/2026Organisation: Schools (Government)Salary: Salary not specifiedOccupation: Education and TrainingReference: 1444357Selection CriteriaSC1 `Content of teaching and learning'. Demonstrated ability to inform and influence the work of others involved in the engagement, mental health, wellbeing or learning of children and young people.SC2 `Teaching practice'. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies relating to mental health, wellbeing or learning.SC3 `Assessment and reporting of student learning'. Demonstrated ability to support a student's mental health, wellbeing or learning by developing and maintaining connection with external services.SC4 `Interaction with the school community'. Demonstrated high level interpersonal skills and communication skills. Demonstrated high level of capability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, other employees and the broader school community to focus on student learning, wellbeing and engagement.SC5 `Professional requirements'. Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate by gaining buy-in and ownership for ideas, gaining agreement to proposals, or involving experts or other third parties to strengthen a case.RoleThe Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System highlighted that primary schools provide opportunities to identify children with mental health and wellbeing challenges, who can then be referred to treatment, care and support.The Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative is being expanded to every government and low-fee non-government primary school in Victoria. Scaling up across the state from 2023, by 2026 every primary school will be able to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to implement a whole-school approach to wellbeing.The Department of Education has been piloting the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative in Victorian schools since 2020 in partnership with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Evaluation of this pilot initiative has shown that 95 per cent of Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders consider the Mental Health in Primary Schools model has improved their school's capacity to support students' mental health and wellbeing needs.Participating schools receive funding to employ aMental Health and Wellbeing Leader, a qualified teacher, to work across the school to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community.The role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader is to:build capability of the whole school with regard to mental health and wellbeing (identification, promotion and prevention),provide support to staff to better identify and support students with mental health needs,establish clear pathways for referral for students requiring assessment and intervention, and monitor and evaluate student progress.The role provides a proactive focus for the promotion and prevention of mental health and wellbeing through assessment and implementation of context-relevant programs, approaches and initiatives based on a broad and extensive knowledge of the needs of the school.The Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader role is not a clinical role and is not designed for direct intervention. The role is seen as a key conduit in creating referral pathways once a teacher or other staff member identifies a concern in the classroom.Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders are provided training in mental health literacy, supporting emerging needs, and building school capacity and receive ongoing support and professional development through structured and regular Learning Communities Training developed and facilitated by the Faculty of Education at University of Melbourne, supported by Murdoch Children's Research Institute.ResponsibilitiesPromote a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing to students, staff and familiesSupport teachers and school staff to expand their capacity to embed evidence-based mental health strategies, interventions and programs and build mental health literacy to identify and support primary school students with mental health concerns.Collaborate with school staff to inform, influence and provide input into teaching and learning relating to mental health and wellbeing. Provide support to schools staff and classroom teachers to build their capabilities to embed mental health into the classroom.Work with school leadership and wellbeing teams to embed whole school approaches to mental health into school planning and strategic processes. Coordinate clear referral pathways internally (within school) and externally (to community services) for students identified as requiring further assessment and intervention.Proactively work with and support regional staff, school wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers and other external agencies to coordinate targeted mental health support for primary school students.Contribute to the school's existing wellbeing team.Who May ApplyTeachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.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. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via ******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. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policyDE ValuesThe department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department'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 department values is available at:https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overviewConditions 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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspxVIT LANTITETo be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.Location ProfileAt Longwarry Primary School we work together to grow our learning in a safe and respectful learning environment that encourages positive relationships, resilient learners and academic growth for all.Longwarry Primary School (LPS) is a rural school situated in the West Gippsland township of Longwarry, approximately 85kms east of Melbourne. Longwarry Primary School is a Professional Learning Community where our passion and focus surround student learning, student engagement and student wellbeing. Relationship building is fundamental to students achieving at their best, at Longwarry Primary School we excel in building positive and supportive relationships with our students, their families and the greater community.Through explicit teaching, students are encouraged to learn and advance their knowledge & skills in fun and interesting ways that excite students' minds. Longwarry Primary School utilises theScience of Learning, the cognitive-science research on how students learn, and connects it to practical implications for teaching. Incorporating DATAWORKS Explicit Direct Instruction framework, Engagement Norms and Check for Understanding we aim to engage, motivate and support our students to meet both personal and curriculum-based goals.LPS currently has 150 students enrolled, allowing for smaller classroom sizes with a high ratio of adults to students to support learning within each classroom. There are 28 staff including a principal, 8 classroom teachers (including a Mental Health in Schools Leader), a learning tutor, 4 specialist teachers, 2 administration support staff, 1 Disability Inclusion Co-ordinator, 11 teacher integration aides, 2 school wellbeing staff, and a specialist technician. The staff work collaboratively in Professional Learning Communities to plan, analyse student data, and differentiate teaching and learning according to students' individual needs. At LPS we pride ourselves on meeting diverse student needs within the mainstream structures, working alongside students, families and support teams to create individual learning programs to encourage engagement, wellbeing and personal growth.The Wellbeing Team at Longwarry Primary School stands as a beacon of support and resilience. Led by the dedicated Wellbeing Leader, this team works tirelessly to foster a nurturing environment where every student feels valued and empowered. Collaborating closely with the school Chaplain, they provide essential emotional guidance, helping students navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom. Through workshops, one-on-one counselling, and community outreach, the Wellbeing Team is committed to promoting mental health, building strong relationships, and ensuring that all students have the resources they need to thrive. Together, they cultivate a culture of compassion and inclusivity, making a lasting impact on the lives of young people and their families. The MHWL contribute to this existing team of professionals.#J-18808-Ljbffr