ESO | Student Counsellor
- Permanent Part-time 37.5 hours per week | 41 weeks per year
- ESO Grade 5 (Other Professionals Stream)
About the role
We are seeking applications from suitably qualified counsellors with experience working in an education setting or agency working with children, adolescents and families.
The Student Counsellor applies professional knowledge and approaches to identify and address student mental health, social, emotional, behavioural and wellbeing concerns to promote student safety, belonging, connection, agency and wellbeing and to facilitate successful learning.
Reporting to the Director of Wellbeing and working alongside two College Psychologists as a member of the Mercedes College Wellbeing Team, the Student Counsellor will closely collaborate both within the Team and with the Learning Enrichment Team, key pastoral staff, families, students, and external professionals to deliver high quality, effective, confidential counselling support and wellbeing interventions for students R-12, fostering student learning, engagement and wellbeing.
Click here for the Position Information Document.
About you
The successful applicant will possess:
- Relevant tertiary qualification in Counselling, Mental Health, Psychology, Youth Work or Social Work, or demonstrated equivalent competencies identified in relevant certifications
- Registration, or eligibility for registration with a professional organisation e.g., Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the Association of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools (APACS) and/or current registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Demonstrable experience working in an education setting or agency working with children, adolescents and families.
- Specialised professional knowledge with depth in providing effective counselling support to children and adolescents, including working with children with additional needs.
- Demonstrated experience undertaking extensive research and investigation to inform the development of significant policies and strategies
- Experience developing and implementing evidence-based wellbeing interventions in both individual and group-based settings.
- Knowledge of current Child Protection requirements and legislation, including demonstrated knowledge of and experience making child abuse (CARL) reports.
- Capacity to quickly build rapport and develop strong, positive relationships with both students and internal/external stakeholders
- Strong intercultural awareness
- High degree of integrity and confidentiality, and a capacity to act with sensitivity and discretion
- Ability to exercise substantial autonomy in decision-making using a wide range of highly specialised technical, creative or conceptual skills to achieve required outcomes
- Demonstrate a commitment to uphold, support and contribute to the Catholic ethos of the College in the Mercy tradition and be willing to participate in and contribute to the life of Mercedes College and the wider community
For a confidential discussion, please contact Melissa Ciplys (Executive Director – Human Resources) on 0428 819 207.
How to apply
To apply for this position, please email your application to recruitment@mercedes.catholic.edu.au comprising:
- Cover letter addressing the following (no more than one A4 page):
- Prior experience working in an education setting or agency working with children, adolescents and families
- Experience providing counselling support to children and adolescents, including children with additional needs
- Experience developing and implementing evidence-based wellbeing interventions
- Current resume including the names and contact details of three current referees (referees will not be contacted without your prior permission)
- A completed Mercedes College Applicant Declaration Form.
Appointment will be subject to Working with Children and Catholic screening clearances.
Applications close 9am Monday 6 May 2024
Mercedes College reserves the right to interview and appoint a suitable applicant prior to the application close date.
