School Psychologist

Join a purpose-driven team reimagining education through therapeutic engagement and holistic support for young people across Melbourne.Recruiting for a full time position across two campuses

• City Campus - 4 days a week
• South Melbourne Campus - 1 day a week

Start Date: Term 1 January 2026

About the School

Hester Hornbrook Academy is a Special Assistance School which provides flexible education and learning options, including VETiS (Vocational Education and Training in Schools), VPC (Victorian Pathways Certificate), VM (VCE Vocational Major), VCE and an extend program offering a variety of elective subjects. Recognising that mainstream education is not suitable for all young people, Hester Hornbrook Academy programs are driven by the personal pursuits of students. 

Their HOPE – Healing Orientated Program of Education informs our Practice model which ensures the integration of academic intervention and growth with wellbeing and life skills. Teachers, Youth Workers, and Education Support Officers (ESOs) work together in a collaborative manner to support students to reach their individual goals.

Job Purpose:(abridged, full position description available on request):

The Hester Hornbrook Academy Psychologist will be required to work as part of the Hester Hornbrook Allied Health team. They will be required to complete assessments and provide confidential counselling assistance to students across all campuses experiencing personal, socio-emotional, learning and/or vocational concerns. The school Psychologist will also be required to complete assessments of young people to identify and address educational support needs.

Our Psychologists are directly responsible to the Head of Engagement and Wellbeing for operational matters and with due regard to professional competence. At all times, the delivery of counselling support is within ethical and professional obligations. Psychologists are expected to adhere to appropriate professional conduct as governed by the Code of Ethics, Australian Psychological Society.

Key Responsibilities:(abridged, full position description available on request):

Counselling and Liaison

• Provide psychological counselling, therapy, support and programmes for individual students and groups for a range of mental health, emotional and family issues
• Liaise with parents/carers/guardians, staff and external professionals/agencies as required to ensure care of students and appropriate case management
• Respond to referrals from parent/carers and members of staff and determine appropriate intervention
• Communicate student needs and case plan as required to parent/carers/guardians and relevant staff
• Consult with the Principal and executive team as requested regarding the development, delivery and implementation of staff professional development programmes relating to mental health

Assessments

Undertake psychological assessment and diagnosis. This will involve:

• Clear understanding of normal and abnormal adolescent development
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders and their relationship to adolescent development
• Psychological assessment of mental health issues involving clinical measures, clinical interview, and observation and information from other sources
• Communicate results from assessments and recommended interventions to parent/carers/guardians, classroom teams and campus leadership both verbally and in writing when appropriate and consent obtained

Undertake educational assessments and diagnosis. This will involve:

• Knowledge, experience and understanding of developmental disabilities and psycho-educational assessment involving intellectual and ability assessment tools, clinical measurement, clinical interview and observation
• Liaise with parent/carers and the classroom teams regarding identified learning needs, psychometric testing and case management plans
• Provide summarised results of psychological assessments to support NCCD funding and any other special arrangement applications (as required)

Key Selection Criteria:(abridged, full position description available on request):

Qualifications

• Must be fully registered with the Psychology Board of Australia under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (AHPRA - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
• Have a current Working with Children Card Desirable

Desirable

• Master's Degree in Psychology (Clinical)
• Teaching Qualification

ExperienceEssential

• Minimum of three years' experience in assessment and diagnosis, preferably in a school environment or with adolescents and parent/carers
• Familiarity with psychoeducational assessment tools and report writing
• Demonstrated experience in initiating and implementing mental health, socio-emotional and wellbeing programmes

Skills/Attributes

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Capacity to work as part of a number of teams
• Ability to successfully manage a number of diverse tasks in a busy school environment
• A commitment to ongoing professional development.

Application Process:

Request full position description from Will Yates: 

will..education,

Your application should be submitted as one PDF document containing:

• Covering letter which highlights experience and relevance of working in a special assistance school, supporting young people to engage in learning, leading to positive outcomes.(no more than 2 pages).
• Curriculum Vitae which includes contact details of two current or recent academic referees.
• Copy of Working with Children Check and/or VIT registration.

Applications should be emailed to: will..education

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

HHA/MCM's strategy is to create a working environment in which we have zero tolerance for compromised worker safety.  As an employer we endeavour to provide a working environment that is safe for all employees and clients and adheres to Occupational Health & Safety regulations as an employer.