Pastoral Care Worker

Posted: 26/08/2024- Closing Date: 09/09/2024- Job Type: Permanent - Part Time- Location: Cessnock- Job Category: Education, Childcare & TrainingSt Patricks Primary School Cessnock is seeking a Permanent Part Time (14 hours per week) Pastoral Care Worker to join the team from Term 3.

St Patrick’s Primary School, Cessnock is located in the beautiful Hunter Valley area of New South Wales cratering for students from Kindergarten to Year 6. Surrounded outside of the city centre by verdant countryside, Cessnock is the largest town in Australia’s oldest wine region. The region is full of activities catering to various lifestyle pursuits and is less than an hour outside of the Newcastle CBD. A school of 362 students, St Patrick's provides a place, built on the Josephite tradition, where creative learning and the individual talents of each student and teacher is appreciated, embraced and encouraged. The school has a strong focus on community and is committed to supporting each individual student and teacher.

Pastoral care is defined in the Project Agreement with the Commonwealth Government as the practice of looking after the personal needs of students, not just their academic needs, through the provision of general spiritual and personal advice.

Pastoral care workers support the Pastoral Care of students by providing:

- pastoral care services
- strategies that support the wellbeing of the broader school community. NSCP, 2019, 10. (Guidelines on NSW Arrangements for 2020-2022).

The role of the pastoral care worker will vary depending on the needs of the individual schools and their communities. Therefore, schools are encouraged to shape the role of the position according to local needs and the capacities of the incumbent.

**Desired Skills and Experience**:
**EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA**
- Be a Catholic
- Have an understanding and willingness to support and follow the Catholic Identity and mission of the school, and have a good understanding of Catholic schools and the wider community
- Be an ethical, respected individual within and outside the school
- Have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate and work effectively in teams with the Principal, the Parish Priest or his representative, the teaching staff, parents, the Learning Support Teacher, Learning Support Assistants, the school Counsellor, and the broader community
- Demonstrate good organisational ability and proved capacity to work effectively in a school environment
- Be competent and capable in monitoring and reporting requirements of CSO and NSCP
- Ability to prioritise the wellbeing of students and families
- Comply with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (NSW) and all related laws concerning child protection
- Experience working with and supporting children and families with trauma backgrounds or in crisis
- Experience in social work and DCJ/ROSH reporting

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Current paid NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) number
- Completion of anaphylaxis training
- Meet NSCP minimum qualification requirements (a Certificate IV in Youth Work or Pastoral Care or equivalent)

**CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT**

Salary is in accordance with New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2023.

**BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US**
- Work in quality schools where students are nurtured, challenged and encouraged to excel and grow
- A corporate fitness program through Fitness Passport
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Training and staff development programs
- Paid parental leave for eligible employees
- Access to long service leave after just five years for eligible employees.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION**

**TO APPLY**
- Please provide a cover letter along with your resume
- Within your cover letter address each of the selection criteria as listed** **under EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA above and ensure your response to each criteria is no longer than 300 words.

**Applications close: Monday 9th September at 11.59pm**

**_Additional information_**
- The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons and preventing those in our care from suffering abuse or neglect. It is committed to implementing and maintaining compliance with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons. All who work in the name of the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy and act in accordance with the Diocese’s Code of Conduct which includes the Diocese’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement. Employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check where necessary, in accordance with legislation._