Student Support Services Branch Manager

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.

About the Group

Schools and Regional Services (SRS) offers central, regional, and local expertise to enhance learning and development outcomes, supported by a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. It comprises 17 areas within 4 regions, backed by 5 central office divisions, all collaborating to deliver improved outcomes for early childhood services, schools, communities, and learners, in line with Education State commitments. SRS regions serve as a bridge between the central office, schools, and service providers, ensuring smooth transitions for learners and achieving the department's ambitious targets. Each region includes divisions specialising in school performance, student wellbeing and early childhood support, working with area-based teams to tailor local interventions and practices. The 17 areas provide crucial insights into local trends and issues, facilitating effective policy and program development and driving child and learner outcomes across all services and programs.

This role is located in the Student Support Services (SSS) Branch, North Eastern Melbournre Area, North Western Victoria Region, SRS. The SSS Branch assists children and young people facing a range of barriers to learning and wellbeing to achieve their educational and developmental potential through the provision of a range of strategies and specialised support at individual, group, school and Area levels. SSS comprise a broad range of Allied Health professions including psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers, and behaviour analysts. The SSS workforce use the Department's Student Support Services Handbook and the area Health Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforce Practice Model to guide their work and practices.

About the Role

The Student Support Services Manager has responsibility for:

• Leading the SSS workforce
• Supporting the development and implemention of a needs based allocation model for the provision of SSS to schools
• Line management and oversight of team leaders, employees, teams and contractors supporting schools
• Coordination and prioritisation of services to schools
• Assist in the management of complex cases by SSS employees within the area
• Monitoring contracts related to SSS provision
• Ensuring the use of state-wide guidelines and practice; and the statewide Professional Supervision Framework is used to support SSS employees
• Facilitating the use of the Student Online Case System to support service delivery based on need
• Participating in Regional and Statewide SSS Managers groups to ensure consistent service
• Facilitating professional supervision and providing professional support and development
• Oversee the SSS budget in collaboration with the regional finance manager
• Participating in area and statewide governance as required
• Undertake other duties as required by the Regional Director (or nominee)

Attributes

In addition to meeting the Key Selection Criteria outlined in the attached Position Description, the successful applicant will need to possess the following attributes:

• Ability to work flexibility and adaptably to rapidly changing priorities
• Strategically plan to utilse the workforce resources to ensure continuous improvement in service delivery
• Ability to develop and maintain strong stakeholder relationships
• Abililty to manage a range of complex and competing needs
• Provide strong and clear leadership to a large, diverse and geographically dispersed team.

Qualifications and Experience

• Desirable: A relevant tertiary qualification in Education or Allied Health.
• The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Working With Children Check.
• Some travel across the North Eastern Melbourne Area and the North Western Victoria Region will be required.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit a current curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter (max. 2 pages for cover letter) which summarises their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria. Applicants should also identify at least 2 referees (one of whom should be your current line manager) who can speak to their ability to undertake the role to a high level.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Joanne Marshall, Acting Executive Director, North Eastern Melbourne Area via or

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Wednesday 15 October 2025