Student Support Officer

**Position Information**:
The NSW Department of Education provides, funds and regulates education services for NSW students from early childhood to secondary school, delivering world-class education through its public schools and providing funding support to non-government schools. We employ, develop and support teachers, leaders and other staff to deliver the best outcomes for students and to advance the wellbeing of Aboriginal people.

**About the Role**

Student Support Officers work within the school community to enhance student wellbeing and learning outcomes in partnership with the wellbeing team and the school counselling service. Student Support Officers provide individual and targeted wellbeing support and whole of school wellbeing initiatives and programs that are evidence-based. They have a pivotal role in working collaboratively with external agencies and creating referral pathways for students and families to child and family support agencies.

**Essential Requirements**
- A completed diploma or higher qualification in social work, youth work, welfare or related discipline.
- Knowledge of and commitment to the Department's Aboriginal education policy.
- Valid and current Working With Children Check (WWCC).

Click here for the role description

**Talent Pool**

**Special Notes**:
**About the NSW Department of Education**

**Additional Information**
Minerva School is a School for Specific Purposes located in the suburb of Sutherland. It is a dynamic educational setting that provides a high quality and individualised education for up to 56 students, across 8 classes. The school provides a tailored and modified K-6 program and Years 7-12 Life Skills curriculum. Every student has an individualised learning program which is developed in collaboration with parents, carers and a range of allied health and vocational services and experts to ensure each student is provided with a unique educational experience that covers their social, emotional, behavioural and sensory needs. Minerva caters for students with autism, developmental disability and sensory processing disorders, many impacted by trauma and/or living in out-of-home care. Our students have significant functional skill deficits across many developmental areas and demonstrate extreme behaviours which interrupt their ability to participate, often leading to unsafe behaviours. Our students struggle to access learning due to difficulties with communication, social, play and behavioural skills.

**How to Apply**
1. **A cover letter** (max 2 pages)
- demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and professional experience meet the focus capabilities as outlined in the role description

2. **A target question response** (maximum 300 words per target question)
- answering the two targeted questions below

3. **A current resume **(max 5 pages)

4. **Copies of your qualifications and/or academic transcripts**

If you are successfully progressed to interview, you will be required to provide
- Proof of Identity information
- Informed Consent Form
- Declaration for child-related work

**Targeted Question 1**
The role of a Student Support Officer involves working with individuals and groups of students from diverse backgrounds and with a range of learning and support needs. Provide an example where you have effectively supported the wellbeing and mental health of a young person or group? What was your role and what was the outcome? (300 words maximum).

**Targeted Question 2**
Please provide an example of your success working both as part of a team and as an individual to contribute to the work of the team. In your response, outline the key challenges faced and how you worked with the team to overcome these challenges. (300 words maximum).