About Westminster

Westminster is a leading coeducational, Early Learning to Year 12, day and boarding Uniting Church school. We aspire to be the best school for an exceptional education, developing individuals of great character to achieve more than they thought possible. We want Westminster to have a world class reputation, renowned for a genuine focus on wellbeing, inspired by our values of kindness, resilience, mindfulness, curiosity, courageousness and inclusivity. 

About the School Psychologist / Counsellor

Ideally commencing on 22 January 2024, this position is for 30.4 hours per week during school term times (41 weeks per year).

In our Wellbeing team of 4, the School Counsellor works closely with the Pastoral Care team including the Head of Wellbeing, Heads of School, Heads of Boarding, Heads of House, the Health Centre team, the Chaplain and the Principal about issues related to students’ emotional wellbeing and the management of particular individual student needs.  Accountable to the Principal, on a day-to-day basis the role will receive direction from the Deputy Principal / Head of Senior School.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Provide a specialised personal and educational counselling service for students across the School.  Such counselling may be initiated by the students themselves, or by staff and/or parents.
• Support teachers with pastoral care responsibilities by providing in-servicing of staff in social, emotional or school safety issues.
• Engage in counselling of students on a one-to-one basis, referring to outside agencies as appropriate.
• Assist teachers and other staff who work with students with particular learning needs.
• Assist School Leaders to in-service staff in appropriate student Wellbeing programs.
• Contribute to the State’s counselling networks by taking part in conferences and committee work, for example the School’s Psychologists and Counsellors Network in Independent Schools.

Key Selection Criteria: Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in psychology or other appropriate qualification (eg Social Work, Occupational Therapy etc).
• Full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or relevant association.
• Possess professional counselling experience in an educational setting.
• Have awareness of the ethical and legal issues regarding the role of a professional in-school counsellor including: confidentiality; informed consent; appropriate disclosures; referral pathways; case note documentation and security.
• Adherence to the Australian Psychological Society (APS) code of ethics (or other relevant body).
• Be able to effectively counsel students.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a School Counsellor would be advantageous

If you are a highly skilled, experienced and qualified psychologist or allied health professional with excellent communication skills, who is well versed on contemporary mental health matters affecting young people, we would welcome your application.

A position description is available on our website under Careers at  www.westminster.school

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume via SEEK, addressed to Mr Andrew Whiteman, Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School.

Applications close 9am Monday 27th November 2023.

For further information, please contact [email protected]

Applications will only be accepted when submitted through Seek.

Westminster, where you can achieve more than you thought possible.