Youth Counsellor

Location: Melbourne | Western Metropolitan

Job type: Full time / From 27/01/2023

Organisation: Education and Training

**Salary**: Salary not specified

Occupation: Education and Training

Reference: 1313866

**Selection Criteria**:
KSC1 - Well-developed 1-1 counselling/therapeutic skills when working with secondary age students and experience in case management.

KSC2 - Demonstrated awareness and understanding of the issues encountered by young people and the ability to work alongside and support those who are experiencing barriers to education, training and employment.

KSC3 - Demonstrated ability to provide information, advice and support to House Leaders, families and external professionals who are supporting/working with students experiencing difficulties with their social and emotional wellbeing.

KSC4 - Demonstrated ability to understand, empathise with and support students in a variety of challenging personal situations, through a good understanding of trauma and child and adolescent development.

KSC5 - Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.

KSC6 - Demonstrate a commitment to professional learning and growth relating to your role and in line with the school’s vision.

KSC7 - Knowledge and understanding of Child Safe Standards.

**PLEASE NOTE ALL SELECTION CRITERIA QUESTIONS ARE TO BE ADDRESSED**.

**Role**:
The position of Youth Counsellor is one of providing significant support to the College in achieving the government targets of improved retention.

Working within the framework of the College Strategic Plan and the Annual Implementation Plan, the Youth Counsellor will provide counselling advice to students of the College and be required to work in close association with all members of staff to develop policies, programs and implementation strategies to improve engagement and retention at the College.

**Responsibilities**:
Operating under the co-ordination of the Student Wellbeing Leader and as part of the Wellbeing team at the college, the Youth Counsellor will:

- Work collaboratively with the Student Wellbeing Leader (SWL) - who will also be your direct line manager - and the Wellbeing team and House Leaders, to ensure that student needs are met with appropriate intervention in a timely manner.
- Participating in all team meetings with regards to referral discussions and sharing best practice.
- Receive and act on referrals for assistance from SWL
- Be adept at brief counselling support for students and case management
- Developing meaningful case plans and goal setting with students
- Effective crisis management, when needed
- Strong liaison with SWL/School Psychologist and other key team members regarding cases
- Keep relevant, professional and up-to-date case notes on identified students in order to monitor progress and develop robust support plans
- Advocate for students were appropriate and facilitate further external referrals - acting as a conduit between the young person and the services they wish/need to access
- Following College Wellbeing protocol and procedure
- Liaise with families, carers and workers regarding the students wellbeing needs, involving:

- Phone contact
- Parent meetings
- Attending care team meetings and other professional networks to support the student
- Develop and implement targeted group interventions (including therapeutic) to identified students
- Promote and facilitate pro-social activities and services, both within the school and in partnership with wider community agencies and support services, including:

- Lunchtime activities
- Celebration days/events
- Information sessions
- Assembly presentations
- Design and deliver small group programs to create happier, healthier and more resilient students
- Establish good relationships with students, acting as a role model and responding to the needs of each individual child with empathy and consistency
- Support teachers to understand and respond to student wellbeing needs
- Act as resource for teachers to build their capacity in the identification and development of educational, social and emotional supports to assist students who are vulnerable or have additional needs
- Attend school excursions and camps as required
- Act in accordance with DET Child Safe Standards, including mandatory Reporting legislation.
- Participation in the Performance & Development process
- Perform other duties appropriate to the classification, at the Principals discretion

**Who May Apply**:
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

**EEO AND OHS Commitment**:
**Child Safe Standards**:
**DET Values**:
**Other Information**:

- a resume including relevant experience, including detailed employment history, as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home and VIT number)
- a response addressing each of the selection crite