MacKillop Education is a Catholic Specialist P-12 School that comprises of three school campuses; Geelong, Maidstone and Caulfield. It caters for children and young people who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from mainstream education. The students referred to MacKilllop have a history and/or ongoing experience of trauma and their needs are complex and diverse; self-regulation is difficult for our students and this can result in challenging social and emotional behaviours. 

The school provides flexible learning pathways that equip participants with the skills to either re-enter a mainstream school or pursue alternative pathways, including further education, training or employment. It teaches to the Victorian Curriculum (P-10) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) at years 11 and 12. VET Certificates can also be accessed during senior studies.

This is a Permanent Full-Time position based in Whittington, Geelong for 2023 but we are also open to Part-Time (30.4 hours per week 0.8EFT) applicants

Our offer:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free and confidential counselling, coaching and emotional support for work and personal challenges

• Generous Salary Packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay)

• Ongoing Career Development, Education and Training

• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees.

About the role:

The Psychologist/Social Worker provides direct support to students and families. In collaboration with the Education & Wellbeing Coordinator, they design and implement school-wide wellbeing initiatives and provide leadership across the school programs. Additionally, they enhance the capacity of staff to cater for the diverse learning needs of our students.

The aim of the Psychologist/Social Worker is to enhance the wellbeing and engagement of students across all MacKillop Education Geelong programs, implementing trauma-informed interventions and programs. They will provide high-level clinical assessments (Psychologist) or oversee the appropriate referral of students (Social Worker). They develop the capacity of staff to respond effectively to students whose learning and development has been impacted by trauma and support classroom staff to develop Individual Learning Plans, Safety Plans and classroom modifications which enhance educational outcomes for students. They provide psychoeducation to students, families, and carers to enhance wellbeing and educational outcomes for students. In addition, they are part of the Incident Response Team that responds to critical incidents and provides safety through co-regulation with students.

Key Selection Criteria:

The incumbent will have:

• Psychologist: Current registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA). A degree in Psychology at Master or Doctoral level is preferred. Experience in an educational setting is also preferred

• Social Worker: A degree in Social Work. Certificates and leadership experience in child and adolescent mental health preferred. Experience in an educational setting is also preferred

• Practice knowledge relevant to working with vulnerable children and young people who have experienced complex trauma, and families, such as: child development and the impact of trauma; including the ability to provide therapeutic clinical assessment and trauma informed interventions

• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people, and their families.

For a full listing please view Position Description.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;

• Satisfactory Criminal History Check;

• Valid Working with Children Check;

• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (We can help with the application process if successful)

Please make sure you address the key selection criteria as outlined in the PD as part of your application.

How to Apply: Click ‘Apply‘ where you will be prompted to proceed with your application via the Seek website.

For more information, please contact:

Judith Hickey at [email protected] or on (03) 5248-2557

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people.  Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.