We support students to increase their social and emotional wellbeing, as well as their drive and ability to participate in a school community, where they feel safe and connected. All students have access to one-on-one counselling onsite and in-class support from experienced youth workers. The wellbeing team facilitates numerous group programs, which support students’ healthy development and growth in body, mind and spirit.

YMCA Wellbeing Services aim to improve young people’s access and engagement with education through developing mental wellbeing. We achieve this through the provision of best practice individualised support pathways, including psychological intervention, counselling and case management support. In addition, we deliver evidence-based wellbeing group programs, both proactive and developmentally focused, that meet the needs of children and young people.

We are recruiting a Wellbeing Counsellor to join the team at YMCA Kingston Vocational School Senior Campus on a permanent, full time basis.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Wellbeing Counsellors work within the YMCA Vocational School, supporting adolescents who have disengaged from mainstream education.

The responsibilities of a Wellbeing Counsellor includes:

• Deliver brief counselling interventions to reduce barriers to education, including but not limited to mental health symptomology, hyperactivity and learning disorders
• In accordance with YMCA’s Thrive framework, co-design and/or deliver evidence-based group programs aimed at prevention or early intervention of barriers to education, including anxiety, interpersonal communication, hyperactivity, anger and substance misuse
• Work collaboratively under Thrive to create evidence-based educational resources and individualised learning support to students, staff, parents and care givers, as well as team members outside of the Wellbeing team
• Support student learning by coordinating assessments and creating Personal Education Plans with teaching staff to accommodate health symptomology, developmental disorders, challenging behaviours and learning differences in order to maximise student outcomes
• Provide additional-needs resourcing for students requiring cognitive, sensory, social and emotional assistance

SELECTION CRITERIA

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Tertiary qualifications in Counselling and/or Psychology and must be fully registered or able to be registered with the Australian Counselling Association and/or Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia
• Highly developed skills and experience in working with young people to provide strategic support that enables students to improve their social-emotional, academic and vocational capacities
• Demonstrated expertise in evidence based, trauma-informed practices to support young people experiencing difficulties related to mental health, development disorders, cognitive impairment and/or other similar conditions
• Sound knowledge of computer systems including proficient use of Microsoft Office suite

REMUNERATION & BENEFITS

The YMCA offers many employee benefits including:

• Free YMCA gym membership
• Discounted rates at our childcare facilities
• Discounted rate on selected health care through Medibank Private
• Discounted accommodation rates at the George Williams Hotel
• A range of online benefits through our online employee discounts and benefits program

APPLICATIONS

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing how your experience meets the selection criteria.

Our Commitment

At The Y, we are committed to empowering all Children and Young People to feel safe and be safe; at The Y, in their families and in their communities. As such, we ensure that all of our candidates are appropriately screened (including police checks) to make sure that the right people are in the right roles. To learn more about our screening processes, click here to view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy:

https://ymca.org.au/about-us/safeguarding-children-young-people/safeguardingresources

The YMCA is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding children and young people.