Leading Teacher - Mental Health & Wellbeing in Melbourne

Selection Criteria

• KSC1: Knowledge of child mental health and whole-school wellbeing
  Demonstrated knowledge of child mental health and wellbeing, prevention and early intervention. Demonstrated ability to lead evidence-based, whole-school approaches to wellbeing and engagement in a primary school setting, using data to monitor impact.
• KSC2: Teaching practice and social and emotional learning
  Demonstrated high-level teaching practice, including the ability to design, implement and evaluate social and emotional learning and wellbeing curriculum that improves student engagement, agency and learning outcomes.
• KSC3: Leading change and building staff capability
  Demonstrated ability to lead change and build the capability of staff through coaching, modelling, mentoring and delivering professional learning, to strengthen consistent wellbeing practice across the school.
• KSC4: Collaboration, partnerships and referral pathways
  Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with students, families, staff, the broader school community and external services, and to coordinate referral and support referral pathways that respond to student needs.
• KSC5: Interpersonal skills, leadership and professional learning
  Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal, communication and leadership skills, including the ability to lead collaborative relationships focused on student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional learning and reflective practice.
• KSC6: School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)
  Leads and implements whole-school initiatives aligned to the school strategic plan that promote positive behaviour, wellbeing and inclusion through Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) and Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMS).

Role

Leading teachers will be highly skilled classroom practitioners and undertake leadership and management roles commensurate with their salary range. The role of leading teachers is to improve the skill, knowledge and performance of the teaching workforce in a school or group of schools and to improve the curriculum program of a school. Leading teachers are expected to lead and manage a significant area or function within the school with a high degree of independence to ensure the effective development, provision and evaluation of the school's education program. Leading teachers will be expected to make a significant contribution to policy development relating to teaching and learning in the school. A leading teacher has a direct impact and influence on the achievement of the school goals. Leading teachers are responsible for the implementation of one or more priorities contained in the school strategic plan.

The role of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader is to:

• Build capability of the whole school about mental health and wellbeing (identification, promotion and prevention).
• Provide support to staff to better identify and support students with mental health needs.
• Establish clear pathways for referral for students requiring assessment and intervention and monitor and evaluate student progress.

Responsibilities

Operating in partnership with their school leadership and wellbeing team, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader will:

• Lead and manage the implementation of whole-school improvement initiatives related to the school strategic plan and school priorities.
• Lead and manage the implementation of whole-school improvement strategies related to curriculum planning and delivery.
• Lead and manage the provision of professional development and developing individual and team development plans for teaching staff within the priorities of the school.
• Promote a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing to students, staff and families.
• Support teachers and school staff to expand their capacity to embed evidence-based mental health strategies, interventions and programs and build mental health literacy to identify and support primary school students with mental health concerns.
• Collaborate with school staff to inform, influence and provide input into teaching and learning relating to mental health and wellbeing.
• Provide support to classroom teachers and education support staff to build their capabilities to support mental health in the classroom.
• Coordinate clear referral pathways internally (within school) and externally (to community services) for students identified as requiring further assessment and intervention.
• Proactively work with and support regional and area staff, school wellbeing and leadership teams, teachers, parents/carers and other external agencies to coordinate targeted mental health support for primary school students.
• Advocate for student voice in wellbeing planning.

Who May Apply

Applicants should be currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach. A qualification in student wellbeing or mental health is desirable but not required.

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department.

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.

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.

Location Profile

Brunswick South West Primary School (BSWPS) is a state primary school of around 400 students in a diverse and engaged school community, committed to helping every child reach their full potential. Wellbeing is supported through the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework. Teaching is guided by the Victorian Curriculum F10 Version 2.0 and the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0), the Department of Education's evidence-based framework for explicit teaching.