Senior Counsellor

Overview

At Ballarat Clarendon College, we are currently seeking an experienced person to join our counselling and support team as a Senior Counsellor. Rather than a stand-alone function, counselling and support at Clarendon is integrated with our general school offering and aims to support students who access this support to be able to build their skills, capacities and confidence to effectively manage the challenges that they might be experiencing at any point in their lives.

Our counselling and wellbeing team work closely with other key school staff to ensure that students make the progress in all areas of their personal development. We help students discover who they are, who they want to be and how to get there.

Responsibilities

In the role of Senior Counsellor, you will:

• provide evidence-based counselling to students, including those with complex needs.
• conduct risk assessments and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• develop and manage safety plans for students at risk of self-harm or suicide.
• maintain confidential and accurate case notes for all counselling sessions.
• collaborate with the school Psychologist on therapeutic planning and support.
• offer guidance and support to parents and staff regarding student wellbeing.
• contribute to curriculum planning where counselling expertise is relevant.
• deliver professional learning sessions on wellbeing topics for staff.
• participate in meetings with students, families and staff as needed.
• act as a Child Safety Officer and support wellbeing in residential settings.

Qualifications

To be successful in the role of Senior Counsellor, you will

• demonstrate your experience supporting young people with diverse mental health needs.
• utilise your skill set for psychosocial assessments and therapeutic planning.
• provide support to families and collaborate with professionals.
• demonstrate your strong understanding of child and adolescent development and wellbeing.
• leverage your knowledge of mental health systems, referral pathways and local services.
• utilise your effective communication skills with students, families and staff.
• exercise cultural competence and ability to adapt practice to diverse needs.
• demonstrate a well-developed awareness of learning challenges and their impact on wellbeing.
• apply your deep understanding of Child Safety legislation and risk assessment.
• conduct mental health risk assessments and interventions.

Benefits

• Salary packaging available
• Access to wellbeing support and app (Sonder)
• Strong community connection

Ballarat Clarendon College - different by design

Ballarat Clarendon College is different by design. Our knowledge-rich curriculum, commitment to explicit teaching and data-informed decision-making set us apart. We believe that learning should never be left to chance—and that applies to students and staff alike.

At Clarendon, we strive to ensure that every student receives the best possible education and every staff member is supported to grow and thrive. Our approach is deliberate, research-informed and focused on continuous improvement. We are as much about teacher learning as we are about student learning and wellbeing.

General Information

At Ballarat Clarendon College, we value diversity, embrace difference and nurture a connected, safe and respectful community. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sexualities and genders.

Child Safety Commitment

Clarendon is a Child Safe School. We are committed to the protection of all children from all forms of abuse and to maintaining a culture of child safety. All staff are expected to uphold the Child Safe Standards and adhere to the school's policies and procedures.

How to Apply

To download the PD and to apply for this job go to: and enter ref code:

Applications close 18 September 2025

Applicants must have, or be able to obtain, valid Australian Work Rights. Ballarat Clarendon College is committed to the health and safety of its staff, students and our community, including compliance with Child Safe Standards and Government Health Directions.

Assistance or reasonable adjustment requirements can be made by contacting:

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