Counsellor

Location: Melbourne | Eastern Metropolitan

Job type: Part time / From 14/10/2024 - 13/10/2031

Organisation: Schools (Government)

**Salary**: Salary not specified

Occupation: Health and Allied Health

Reference: 1432011

**Selection Criteria**:

- Demonstrated ability to provide counselling for young people and their families and liaise with support services in the local community
- Well developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain networks that enhance the provision of effective services for students
- Capacity to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team and actively contribute to the Wellbeing team
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and best practice in, individual and group interventions for young people with support needs, including counselling, mediation, problem solving and conflict resolution
- Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.

**Role**:
Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.

Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with mínimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.

This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee¿s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

**Responsibilities**:
The College Wellbeing team consists of two Counsellors, Mental Health Practitioner, Social and Emotional Learning Leader, School Wellbeing Officer and the Assistant Principal with oversight of wellbeing. Each member of this team also works with the heads of sub school and year level coordinators.

The Counsellor assists students, staff and their families with personal issues to improve their general and mental wellbeing. The Counsellor is a key member of the Wellbeing team, which is also responsible for the delivery of support in the areas of careers/pathways, disability, international students and health care.
- The Counsellor must have an interest in, and knowledge of, adolescent mental health issues and adolescent development. Experience working in a school environment, as well as the knowledge to be able to work within Department of Education (DE) guidelines, is desirable.

The Counsellor is required to keep accurate documentation of all contact with, and regarding, any student or staff member they are dealing with in a timely manner, using DE and other reporting systems as appropriate.

An appropriate degree and/or postgraduate qualification with strong counselling skills is mandatory for this position.
- Typical duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Provide counselling, support and advocacy to individuals and groups of students, and their parents, to support prevention and early intervention
- Advocate on behalf of students and their families and refer students to outside agencies as appropriate
- Liaise with Heads of Sub-School and SSS staff to support student wellbeing
- Provide advice on specific support services and their impact on students, school curriculum and s