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 policies
- Valid and current Working With Children Check (WWCC).

**Talent Pool**

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

**Additional School Information (Optional)**
Henry Kendall High School is a coeducational comprehensive high school with a student enrolment of approximately 770 students including 50 students in the Special Education Centre and 49 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Henry Kendall High School is located near the CBD of Gosford City.

The school's mission statement is: "Developing confident, responsible citizens who strive for excellence." We aim to develop the best in each student, and to draw out their talents and interests so that they are well placed to pursue their career options. Henry Kendall High School holds strong beliefs about the relationships we build with our parents and our community in order to provide a proactive school committed to ensuring opportunities and high standards.

Henry Kendall High School provides a curriculum that is relevant, current and challenging incorporating Futures Learning principles, with current priorities in Applied Learning pedagogies to extend student outcomes. A strong learning culture is an integral aspect of the school. Key features include excellence in the creative and performing arts, sporting programs, strong academic outcomes whilst equally catering for multiple student pathways, valued relationships with the Aboriginal Community and Cooinda AECG, the Special Education Centre, Vocational Education opportunities and a holistic focus on student wellbeing. Henry Kendall High School is a proud member of the Gosford City Learning Community through our partnerships with Gosford High School, Gosford Public School and Point Clare Public School. These relationships provide a dynamic learning approach from K-12 and ensure that our schools are an integral part of our community.

**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 and complex backgrounds 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 through targeted interventions? 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).