·         Permanent 37.5hours per week, 41 weeks per year

·         Leafy Springfield location with free onsite parking

·         Work as part of a wellbeing team with Educational Psychologists

Mercedes College is a Catholic Co-educational Reception to Year 12 CIS accredited International Baccalaureate World School, located in leafy Springfield, SA. Driven by our vision to be a sustainable, internationally-minded, world class school, we proudly support each student to develop spiritually, academically, socially and personally so that each can confidently take their place in the world.

As a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition and inspired by the Gospels, we work in partnership with families enabling students to flourish in all aspects of their humanity and thus contribute to a better and more peaceful world. 

About the role

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, wellbeing and 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.

Key responsibilities will include:

·         Assessing the needs of students and families by gathering relevant background information from a range of sources, to plan for the delivery of focussed intervention.

·         Act in a counselling and advocacy role, setting counselling goals and conducting brief intervention to resolve individual, peer group, social and emotional concerns.

·         Liaise with key internal and external stakeholders, including health care professionals and external agencies relevant to the students need.

·         Work with relevant staff to research, develop, implement, review and evaluate evidence-based wellbeing programmes and initiatives.

·         Act as a resource for teaching staff, parents/caregivers and guardians to provide information about physical, social and emotional matters affecting students, the College and their families.

·         Provide advice to key internal stakeholders regarding pastoral care and wellbeing curriculum services.

·         Contribute to the development of programmes for staff development in the areas of pastoral care, wellbeing and professional practice.

·         Lead the College to a common understanding of methodology and best practice in the provision of Counselling services.

·         Research and develop appropriate policies and processes in the delivery of counselling services across the College.

·         Participate in pastoral care meetings to identify emerging student concerns and plan collaboratively and proactively to address these concerns.

For a full list of responsibilities, see the Position Information Document on our website:

mercedes.catholic.edu.au/careers/

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

How to apply

Email your application to [email protected] comprising:

1. Cover letter outlining the following (no more than 1 A4 page).

a.       Prior experience working in an education setting or agency working with children, adolescents and families

b.      Experience providing counselling support to children and adolescents, including children with additional needs

c.       Experience developing and implementing evidence-based wellbeing interventions

2.      Current resume including the names and contact details of three current referees (referees will not be contacted without your prior permission)

3.      A completed Mercedes College Applicant Declaration Form.

Appointment will be subject to Working with Children screening clearances. 

Applications close: 9am Monday 6^th May 2024

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and interviews/appointment may occur before the closing date.