Counsellor - Art Therapist (Ed Support Level 1-Range 3)

Role

Range 3 is distinguished by the 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 ( 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 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

• Providing counselling and guidance to students, who may be referred by Leadership and home group teachers. Cases requiring professional counselling or treatment should be referred to an appropriate agency with prior agreement of the student and parent.

• Providing referrals to external agencies and services as necessary and with the student and parent’s knowledge and consent.

• Assisting the development, coordination operation and maintenance of the total student support structures, within the context of the Strategic Plan, and in collaboration with the Disability Inclusion/Wellbeing Assistant Principal and Principal.

• Providing appropriate staff with information relevant and necessary to ensure the wellbeing and education of students experiencing difficulties.

• Working with staff to develop positive school programs to foster the wellbeing of all students.

• Acting as an advocate for students and / or as a resource for parents.

• Liaising with parents and keeping parents informed of their child’s wellbeing issues.

• Working closely with class teachers and principal class team.

• Keeping teachers informed of where the student is at in terms of wellbeing support.

• Documenting therapy goals, interventions and outcomes in a way that is consistent with the Wellbeing Team.

• Following Department of Education and school policy and guidelines in the provision of wellbeing services to students.

Counsellors will also be responsible for reporting to the Principal, Assistant Principal for Wellbeing and Leadership team, to support students who require tier two counselling supports. The successful candidate will support students with one on one, group or restorative counselling. In addition to counselling, the successful candidate will provide targeted social and emotional learning activities to support challenging behaviours that have been assessed by leadership or home group teachers as needing support. The successful candidate may be required to conduct classroom observations and then submit observation and / or recommendations to teachers regarding these observations. Finally, the counsellor will support the Principal class team in monitoring and supporting student absence through weekly absence meetings, student support group meetings and supporting students with school-based supports.

Who May Apply

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

EEO AND OHS Commitment

The Department of Education and Training 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.

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

DE Values

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at

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

Location Profile

Tarneit Rise Primary School is a strong, inclusive community that proudly celebrates our diversity and multiculturalism, and we are recruiting

Instructional coaching is offered to all new staff. Our facilities are state of the art, our children are gorgeous, our curriculum is rigorous, and our leadership is strong. We are not looking for teachers who know everything; we are looking for reflective practitioners (of any level of experiences) who are curious about their practice and who want to make a difference in the world.

Our community works together to ensure every child has a positive, happy, and rewarding school experience. Families and teachers are genuine partners in the learning process, ensuring our children strive to achieve their personal best and show kindness towards others.

The school attracts and retains a dynamic, caring, and innovative staff who work hard to provide a range of high-quality learning opportunities to stimulate and challenge each child. This is done within a collaborative culture, creating a strong sense of community spirit and high expectations.

Enrolments for 2023 are currently 1800.

Mission:  

Creating citizens for the future: compassionate, curious, and strong.

Vision

We empower all students to achieve personal goals, experiencing high quality education and the best community for learning. This will ensure all learners have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become lifelong learners, shaping the world around them and believing that, with effort, great things can be achieved.

Values

Tarneit Rise Primary School recognises the importance of the partnership between the school and families to support student learning, engagement, and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, ensuring inclusive, safe, and engaging environments for children to learn and grow.

Our values are: Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, and Growth

At Tarneit Rise Primary School, we invest heavily in our people because we believe no single asset or resource matters more in achieving our vision.

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