ahp3 - school mental health practitioner

Department for Education

Job reference: 699512

Location: - VARIOUS -

Job status: Ongoing

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child's potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About the role

The Department for Education has established a school mental health service to assist in the management of student mental health concerns. The school mental health service will provide appropriately credentialed mental health practitioners based in secondary schools. The School Mental Health Practitioner will provide services to one or more schools and will work in partnership with school leadership to provide support across the three waves of intervention, including:

• Providing direct assessment and time-limited, evidence-based intervention to students identified with emerging or mild to moderate mental health concerns.
• Contributing to referral and case management processes for students with more complex mental health presentations.
• Building the mental health literacy of school communities.

The SMHP must be appropriately credentialed in one of a range of discipline areas, including Psychology, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy and have direct therapy experience with children and young people with mental health concerns.

Student Support Services are on a cultural response journey and as such we value and prioritise Aboriginal ways of Knowing, Doing and Being.

Qualifications

Essential: A bachelor qualification or specialist/post graduate qualification where applicable in:

• Social Work
• Occupational Therapy
• Psychology

Registration with the requisite professional body where applicable (i.e. AHPRA).

Social Work applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Desirable: Nil

Special conditions

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Remuneration

AHP3 $104,180 - $111,746 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%).

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to Michelle Tonkin-Smith, Team Manager, via tel: or email:

Application instructions

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants are required to submit a CV, the Application Cover Sheet, Employment Declaration, and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the key competencies in the attached position description.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional note

Multiple full-time (1.0 FTE) and part time (0.5 FTE) ongoing vacancies are currently available across the following locations: Berri, John Pirie, Kadina, Millicent, Moonta, Renmark, Waikerie, Whyalla, and Willunga.

Applications close: 16/10/2025 11:30 PM