School Counsellor

**Overview**:
**Work Type**:Ongoing - Full-time

**Salary**: Salary not specified

**Grade**:Education Support - Level 1, Range 3

**Occupation**:Health and allied health

**Location**:Melbourne - Western suburbs

**Reference**:1481539

**Location Profile**:

- Springside West Secondary College was established in 2018, in the growth corridor of the north-western suburbs, in Fraser Rise. Our school is made up of 1600 students and over 190 staff.
- As a college we embrace diversity and inclusion, and we are committed to students building their skills to achieve a range of pathways. We are a community of learners seeking to challenge each other to grow and embrace learning.

**Selection Criteria**:

- SC 1: Capacity to build effective and enduring relationships with students.
SC 2: Maintain confidentiality in all dealings with students in discussions with regard to their wellbeing within the requirements of school accountability and minimum reporting requirements.
SC 3: Capacity to work effectively with other members of the wellbeing team of the school.
SC 4: A commitment to undertaking the counselling within the context of the school culture and values.
SC 5: A demonstrated capacity to use outside providers to provide support and assistance with regard to student wellbeing

**Role**:

- [Attendance requirement for this position]
- Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
- Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
- The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with mínimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
- This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
- An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee¿s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

**Responsibilities**:

- Springside West Secondary College seeks to employ a school counsellor to work with adolescents from the age of 12 to 18 years of age.
- The ideal applicant would have experience working with adolescents, and training in counselling. They will be comfortable working as part of a team, with another counsellor, a Mental Health Practitioner and the Student Wellbeing Coordinator. The capacity to provide feedback to the team about mental health and wellbeing within the school will be critical.
- Springside West Secondary College counsellors will be required to maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information. Building effective relationships with students will need to be a strength of the successful applicant.
- This is a rewarding opportunity for a dedicated staff member to work with students and build their confidence, mental health and resilience.

**Who May Apply**:

- Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

**EEO AND OHS Commitment**:
**Child Safe Standards**:

- Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations includ