Student Wellbeing Officer

Overview

Work type: Part time

Salary: Salary not specified

Grade: Ed Support Level 1-Range 3

Occupation: Education and Training

Location: Geelong

Reference: 1477955

Location Profile

Hamlyn Views School is a Special Developmental School for students Foundation to Year 12 located in Hamlyn Heights, Geelong. It opened in 2018 and as a Public Private Partnership School will be maintained to a standard for 25 years. All students have a diagnosed moderate to severe intellectual disability, some with associated conditions, including a significant percentage on the autism spectrum.

Our vision is to be an outstanding provider of inclusive education that promotes individuality, fosters innovation and sets high expectations for all whilst our school values align with our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support expectations - Learning, Safety and Respect. Our motto Facing the Future depicts our desire to create effective partnerships with all community members to support improved learning, wellbeing and post-school pathways for our students. Our School Strategic Plan 2020-2024 guides whole school improvement, assisted by the implementation of Data Wise collaborative data inquiry by educators in Professional Learning Communities. We will undertake a School Review in term 2, 2024.

We want our students to have the best learning opportunities, support and care to ensure they reach their full potential and become valued, contributing members of their community. To achieve this our curriculum, assessment and pedagogical approaches are based on the latest evidence-informed research.

A multi-disciplinary team of Allied Health and Wellbeing professionals are employed to provide the necessary expertise and support that promotes student access to the curriculum and the successful attainment of the Individual Education Plan goals.

Through our commitment to Respectful Relationships, Safe Schools and zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, racism or discrimination, we aim to build a culture of respect for diversity, gender equality and safety.

We are seeking a highly motivated and capable Student Wellbeing Officer keen to be part of our professional and collaborative learning community, committed to excellence and equity for all, and eager to be part of the exciting educational journey of a growing school.

Selection Criteria

SC1. Experience supporting the general wellbeing of students and the school community.

SC2. Experience in providing services to improve student engagement and connectedness.

SC3. Ability to foster a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment.

SC4. Ability to operate within the school community and with external providers, including providing students with referrals to specialist services when required.

SC5. Ability to support schools and teachers to identify and develop educational, social and emotional programs to support students.

Role

Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.

Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.

This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee¿s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Responsibilities

Provide Care Management as needed in regards to social/emotional needs of students

• Provide relevant information on available resources to students and their families
• Organise and help facilitate group/individual programs based on the needs of the cohort at any given time
• Provide information to parents on students' social progress and referral to external services, as appropriate
• Provide support to Classroom Teachers and Education Support Staff to promote wellbeing education
• Provide supportive intervention for individual students where required, including Behaviour Support Plans and Coping Plans
• Promote and facilitate pro-social activities and services, including lunchtime clubs
• Perform other duties appropriate to the classification, as determined by the Principal

Support student attendance, engagement and mental health

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

EEO AND OHS Commitment

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

• Responses to Selection Criteria should be limited to no more than one page per criteria.
• The name and contact details, including mobile phone numbers and email addresses, of three referees should be included with the application.
• Candidates will be informed if other referees other than those nominated are to be contacted as per DET policy.

A virtual school tour can be accessed on the school website. Further information about the role is available by contacting the Principal

Conditions of Employment

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx