Location Profile

St Helena Secondary College is a co-educational state secondary school of approx. 1600 students located in leafy Eltham North. St Helena is a recognised high demand school, a reflection of the high esteem in which it is held by the wider community.

The College is a vibrant learning institution with a progressive attitude to change. Our commitment to building teacher capacity has paved the way for a targeted approach to high quality instruction, and the integration of 21st century technology with our teaching and learning model.   The College is warm and friendly with traditional values of respect, responsibility and personal best. It has one of the most extensive extra-curricular programs possible with musical bands, arts, performance and sporting opportunities.  We have a very high retention rate, with a focus on providing pathways for all our students.  Our mantra is “we educate the whole child”, and we aim to develop resilient life-long learners who are able to contribute positively to society.    A positive psychology framework and dedication to continuous improvement drives us all to live our motto ‘Dare to be Excellent’. We benefit from the active involvement of a large number of parent and alumni volunteers, and see ourselves very much as a community. 

This is a full time fixed term position starting 27/1/23 – 26/1/24

Selection Criteria

1. Tertiary Qualification in Social Work or other relevant qualification and an ability to deliver comprehensive social work support services to students and families in an educational setting.
2. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to maintain detailed confidential data on students.
3. Capacity to work as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary professional team and contribute significantly to the achievements of the team.
4. Demonstrated capacity and experience to provide counselling to students and parents individually and in group settings and experience in the delivery of student and family wellbeing / welfare services.
5. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain networks that enhance the provision of effective internal and external services for students at risk.

Responsibilities

The Social Worker will work as part of the Student Wellbeing Team, led by the Wellbeing Leader.  They will follow all College and DEECD policies related to Mandatory Reporting, Critical incident management, information sharing, privacy and confidentiality and will keep up to date and exemplary records. The holder will liaise with Mini-School Teams, Principals, and classroom teachers to provide wellbeing services to students in the College. This individual is responsible for provision of targeted intervention, facilitating referrals of students to external agencies, and for acting as a liaison between the College and external agencies. 

It is expected that the staff in this position will:   

• Work as part of an effective team and develop cooperative working relationships.   
• Fully employ a range of suitable approaches that assist students to reach their full potential.  
• Demonstrate high-level communication skills and professional behaviour when interacting with parents, students, and colleagues.  
• Actively promote and implement College values. 
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the Child Safe standards and appropriate mandatory reporting laws and respond accordingly. 

Specific duties 

• Promote Student Wellbeing Services in the College and in the wider community. 
• Oversight of student presentation to wellbeing hub with focus on walk-and-talk problem solving and short-term regulation support  
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community services relevant to wellbeing, including the coordination of on-site visits and programs 
• With other relevant staff, provide support, short term goal-directed counselling, and assistance to students experiencing difficulties at school, at home, or in the community  
• Provide targeted support and intervention in accordance with DET (Department of Education and Training) Guidelines, and coordinate welfare supports for students in need 
• Respond to risk and develop student safety plans 
• Develop, monitor and share Individual Learning Plans and/or Special Provisions as appropriate for students requiring individual assistance and support, including conducting meetings with teachers, students, and parents 
• Provide Parents/Carers with appropriate information about student progress, available resources, and referral 
• Liaise between the College and community agencies including facilitation of referrals to community agencies, psychologists, and educational psychologists 
• Keep appropriate records of student, parent, and agency contact 

HOW TO APPLY
All Schools Job vacancies can also be accessed via the Job Search tab copy into your web browser – applications must be completed through Recruitment online – link below

https://edupay.eduweb.vic.gov.au/psc/EDUPPRD1_EA/APPLICANT/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB_FL&Action=U

Any queries contact Vittoria Saliba (03) 9438 8500

closing date on ROL 24/10/2022