Student Support Services Manager

ESO 6 (+ allowance as applicable) 

Cardijn College is an R-12 co-educational Catholic school in the Marist tradition, deeply inspired by the method of College patron Joseph Cardijn with a foundation built on the three pillars of his teachings; to See, Judge and Act. Educating and inspiring students in the beautiful Southern Vales region of Adelaide since 1984, Cardijn has grown to encompass three schools, each with distinct offerings.

Cardijn College at Noarlunga Downs offers Years 7-12 and is renowned for academic excellence and a vibrant extra-curricular program. Cardijn College Marcellin at Christie Downs provides a wide variety of vocational education and training opportunities for students in Years 10 – 12 and beyond, with relationships that extend well into their careers. Cardijn College Galilee at Aldinga offers Reception to Year 8, expanding to include Year 9 in 2023.

With a current enrolment of 1850 students and over 260 staff, Cardijn College is an institution which strives to be a beacon of faith in the community, with students who have enormous influence and impact on both a local and global level.

Position Summary

The Student Support Services Manager works with campus leadership through the application of specialist professional knowledge and strategies to identify and address student issues to promote student safety, wellbeing, and to facilitate successful learning.

The Student Support Services Manager, as a qualified professional, works with school leaders, staff, parents/caregivers, students and external agencies to support the wellbeing of students and provide counselling to students and college staff. The Student Support Services Manager forms a vital part of the support services available to students and staff across the College.

The Student Support Services Manager leads the College’s Counselling Team and works in partnership with the Heads of Campus to provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to members of the team in the delivery of counselling, social work and wellbeing services. In this role, the Student Support Services Manager also leads the Student Development Officers to provide oversight of those students who are young people in care.

The Student Support Services Manager will:

Leading and Managing the Wellbeing Team

• Enable the Wellbeing Team, chairing meetings and providing support and guidance to the staff within the team.
• Provide effective, high quality counselling support to:
  • resolve individual, peer group, social and emotional concerns and monitor trends, patterns, areas of concern that may become apparent within the school/parent/caregivers/community.
  • individuals and small groups of students with particular needs including grief and loss, anger management and other specific needs.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to members of the Wellbeing Team including acting as an escalation point for complex case management, critical incidents or emergencies.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and guidance to the staff managing and supporting those students requiring additional support through the CESA scholarship program.
• Have oversight of students requiring additional support through the CESA scholarship program in partnership with other pastoral leaders across the College, also working with the department for Children protection and other external agencies.
• Have an awareness and oversight of counselling appointment bookings and the appointment booking process.
• Work in partnership with the Campus Leadership Team and Pastoral Care Leaders to proactively promote positive pastoral development and establish a connection with students ‘at risk’.
• Lead the case management process for students with significant wellbeing concerns, working in partnership with other staff, the student and their parents/caregivers.
• Meet regularly with campus leadership to discuss all issues relevant to students’ wellbeing and pastoral care.

Stakeholder Liaison

• Develop key partnerships with relevant external agencies to provide the best outcomes for students requiring additional support, specifically from a wellbeing perspective.
• Represent the school to negotiate and utilise services to access outside counselling and promote the school and community counselling services to the wider school community and facilitate activities.
• Refer students and their parents/caregivers to specialised external agencies when further professional interventions are required i.e. CAMHS, GP, psychologist, Centacare etc., and work in partnership with these agencies when required.
• Establish relationships with parents/caregivers and discuss issues that are affecting student outcomes, this may include leading parent information events about specific issues and strategies for young people.
• Where appropriate, notify parents/guardians of issues of safety regarding their child and support other staff in doing so.

Policy and Procedure

• Provide subject matter expertise and/or policy advice across a range of programs or activities undertaken by the school, formulate policies and provide specialist advice on policy formulation to school leadership.
• Comply with State and Federal law pertaining to child protection and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Develop and support others with developing relevant plans for students such as Safety Plans, Return to School Plans, Support Plans, Management Plans and others as required.
• Assist in the development and review of procedures and policies relating to student wellbeing and assist teachers in their teaching of health-related topics concerning pastoral care, behaviour management, student wellbeing and resilience.
• Maintain clear accurate case notes and files on all counselling interventions, storing case notes securely to ensure confidentiality and in line with current ‘best practice’.
• Prepare letters and reports as requested by College Leadership, parents/caregivers, mental health practitioners and Government and community agencies.

Other Duties

• Where appropriate, work in partnership with other pastoral leaders to develop a Pastoral Care Program and Curriculum that meets the needs of students.
• Support and work with College leadership when dealing with identified students requiring counselling support.
• Provide professional support to staff to develop strategies to support the wellbeing of students.
• Maintain appropriate, continuous professional knowledge by attending professional development and actively participating in relevant network/professional groups.
• Promote a safe working environment for all staff, students and volunteers.
• Oversee the Student Support Services Budget in consultation with the Finance Manager and Business Manager.
• Perform other duties as required by the Principal (or delegate).

Essential Selection Criteria

• Actively support for the Catholic ethos and the College Mission and Values.
• A relevant tertiary qualification and extensive practical experience with demonstrated expertise.
• Specialised professional knowledge with depth in providing effective counselling support to clients (students), including working with children with diverse needs.
• Demonstrated experience leading staff and managing outcomes of work of self and others.
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking extensive research and investigation to inform the development of significant policies and strategies for the successful operation of the school.
• Ability to generate and evaluate complex ideas through the analysis of information and concepts and implement positive and supportive procedures and practices, and be a good role model for students.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) and proven ability to quickly develop a strong positive rapport with students, staff, parents/caregivers and external stakeholders and foster effective relationships with all school community members.
• Ability to work without guidance and effectively self-manage to exercise significant and independent professional judgement based on extensive experience and an advanced level of expertise across a range of areas associated with the role.
• Demonstrate self-directed development and achievement of specialised areas of knowledge and skills to enhance the school’s educational outcomes.
• Self-motivated, resilient, and able to work productively and flexibly in a complex environment as an effective and positive team member and supervise and support other staff.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, along with an ability to effectively prioritise tasks, be proactive and meet required timelines.
• Demonstrated very high level of confidentiality, trust, integrity and work ethic.
• Ability to lead and deal effectively with unexpected situations and/or emergencies.
• An active demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional learning and development.

Specific Requirements

• Working With Children Check and Catholic Police Clearance to work in Catholic Education SA.
• Current valid Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care certificate.
• Approved Mandatory Notification training.
• Applicable First Aid Certificate relevant to the role requirements.

Employment Conditions and Benefits:

Cardijn College provides a supportive, inclusive and stimulating work environment, with access to outstanding facilities and resources to enable academic excellence. The employment terms and conditions are governed by the South Australian Catholic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2020. Working hours are 37.5 hours per week for 45 weeks per year.

To Apply

Please submit your applications online at: https://cardijncollege.bamboohr.com/jobs by 9:00 am, Monday 21 August 2023

We welcome applications addressed to the Principal, Mr Steve Byrne, including:

• 2-3 page document describing your suitability, experience and your vision for the role.
• Resume including the names and contact details of two referees (one current) 
• Catholic Education South Australia Employment Declaration Form. 

Applications submitted on SEEK will not be considered.