The Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW) is the peak body supporting and representing independent schools in NSW and provides a range of services across NSW and ACT. With the core values of integrity, professionalism, respect and collegiality, AISNSW seeks to further the ideals of independent education: choice, diversity, quality, opportunity and excellence.

We are seeking a full-time consultant with expertise in mental health and wellbeing. 

This position is part of the Student Services portfolio at AISNSW. The portfolio consists of specialist consultants with expertise in providing responsive support regarding student matters. They collaborate with schools to assist in addressing the individual needs of students who may require additional planning, support and adjustments. Needs may be related to academic, behavioural, social or emotional development, mental health difficulties, school refusal, gender identity or gender expression, or a combination of the above.

In addition, the consultants provide proactive, evidence-based, whole of school approaches to promoting positive outcomes for students and are responsible for the implementation of various longer term initiatives focused on behaviour and wellbeing.

To be successful in this position you need to be a person of integrity, with exceptional skills in supporting schools to implement evidence-based approaches to mental health and wellbeing for students, teachers and leaders.

Overview of the role

The broader role of the Education Consultant at AISNSW typically involves a variety of face-to-face consultancies, tailored professional learning sessions, briefings, group presentations, conference facilitation and instructional coaching. The audience for these can be individuals or groups of people including principals, school executives, classroom teachers and professional support staff.  

An understanding of effective and targeted approaches and strategies as well as extensive curriculum knowledge is required to support the learning needs of students at whole-school, whole-class and individual levels.

The position will involve responding to individual student matters that may arise, supporting schools to minimise impact, and plan appropriately in a timely manner. Supporting schools with the facilitation of meetings relating to individual planning as well as school attendance matters is a further component to the role.

The successful applicant will have a sound understanding of evidence-based approaches to support the mental health and wellbeing needs of school aged students, as they will be responsible for developing and leading school-based professional learning in this critical area. 

It also involves providing proactive, whole of school support related to the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD), behaviour support and student engagement and whole-school wellbeing. 

Position description
The duties of a Student Services Education Consultant at AISNSW may include: 

• Responding to a diverse and varied range of specific school and student issues related to mental health challenges and difficulties and providing assistance with appropriate planning processes. This includes supporting schools to undertake risk assessments and develop safety plans/individual plans for vulnerable students.
•  Contributing to and supporting a range of strategic projects within the team and across the organisation. This includes the AISNSW developed initiative titled ‘Compass: Navigating Whole-school Wellbeing’ and Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Designing and delivering effective professional learning both face-to-face and online for staff in independent schools as well as developing associated resources. Focus areas may include whole-school approaches to wellbeing, social and emotional learning, positive classroom practices and trauma-informed practices. 
• Working in collaboration with school leadership teams to plan strategic directions related to mental health and proactive approaches to wellbeing for students, teachers and leaders.  
•  Supporting schools in understanding and applying relevant processes associated with the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD).
•  Facilitating attendance meetings including Compulsory Attendance Conferences for which appropriate training will be provided.
• Representing AISNSW and the independent school sector on committees and in a variety of forums.
• Other duties as required by the Chief Executive.

Personal attributes 
To be successful in this position, applicants will need to have:

• Highly developed organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting timeframes.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently within a dynamic team across different programs.
• Well-developed interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to design, coordinate and implement effective school-based and online professional learning experiences as well as associated resources.
• Desire to be responsive and open-minded combined with a willingness to be adaptable.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and dealing respectfully with sensitive information.

Education and experience

•  Qualifications in education, mental health/wellbeing, leadership.
• Experience leading, coordinating and prioritising the provision of proactive and responsive support focused on mental health and wellbeing in a school context. 
• Understanding of the educational and legislative context of independent schools. This includes the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and Disability Standards for Education 2005.
• Knowledge of the NSW curriculum and application of reasonable adjustments.
• NSW Working with Children Check.
• A current NSW Driver’s Licence.

General conditions of the role

Hours of Work: The role is full-time. Flexible work arrangements are available that include a combination of working away from the office, as well as dedicated time for collaboration with colleagues in the office. Access to these arrangements is considered within prioritising visits to schools.  

Annual Leave: Four weeks annual leave is provided. 

Travel: State-wide travel is a requirement of the role which involves being away overnight, at times consecutive nights.

Professional Learning: A meeting for all staff is held once per term that is tailored to be informative, practical and collaborative in nature. Other professional learning opportunities that develop and support career development are arranged throughout the year.

Reporting Line: All positions are overseen by the Chief Executive. The role reports to the Associate Chief Executive: Student Services. 

Application process:

Candidates are required to provide the following: 

• Covering letter
• Copy of full curriculum vitae including qualification and names of two referees (referees will be contacted only after prior consultation with the candidate)
•  Statement of suitability for the role addressing the position description (no more than two pages)

Applications close Friday 21 October 2022.

Please direct any questions and applications to:
Margaret Molloy
HR Manager
AISNSW
Level 12, 99 York Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9299 2845
Email: [email protected]