SSS Manager

Department of Education; Geelong; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Education in Barwon Area, SWV Region, is seeking a Student Support Services Manager. You will lead the SSS team, drive workforce reform, and coordinate services for schools to improve student wellbeing and learning outcomes.

This role requires line management of area leaders, budget oversight, and collaboration with regional governance. A current Working With Children Check is required, and applicants may be asked to undergo pre-employment checks.

Qualifications

• Experience leading allied health teams and managing critical incidents.
• Current Working With Children Check required.
• Desirable: a tertiary qualification in Education or Allied Health.

Responsibilities

• Lead change and workforce reform of Student Support Services (SSS).
• Develop and implement a needs-based allocation model for SSS provision.
• Line management and oversight of area leaders, employees, teams and contractors supporting schools.
• Coordinate services to schools.
• Assist in the management of complex cases by SSS employees within the area.
• Monitor contracts related to SSS provision.
• Ensure use of state-wide guidelines and practice; and the statewide Professional Supervision Framework is used to support SSS employees.

Skills

Authentic Relationships

People Leadership

Flexibility and Adaptability

Working Collaboratively

Critical Thinking and Problem solving

Education

A relevant tertiary qualification in Education or Allied Health

Job description

Are you able to build collaborative, authentic relationships with others. Do you have experience leading allied health teams and managing citical incidents. Do you have a passion for responsively supporting staff, students and schools.
Student Support Services comprise a broad range of Allied Health professions including psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers and occupational therapists. Student Support Services staff work as part of multi-disciplinary health and wellbeing team within Areas, focusing on providing group based and individual support, workforce capacity building, and the provision of specialised services.

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.

About the Group

Schools and Regional Services (SRS) offers central, regional, and local expertise to enhance learning and development outcomes, supported by a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. It comprises 17 areas within 4 regions, backed by 5 central office divisions, all collaborating to deliver improved outcomes for early childhood services, schools, communities, and learners, in line with Education State commitments. SRS regions serve as a bridge between the central office, schools, and service providers, ensuring smooth transitions for learners and achieving the department's ambitious targets. Each region includes divisions specialising in school performance, student wellbeing and early childhood support, working with area-based teams to tailor local interventions and practices. The 17 areas provide crucial insights into local trends and issues, facilitating effective policy and program development and driving child and learner outcomes across all services and programs.

This role is located in the Student Support Services (SSS) Unit, Barwon Area, SWV Region, SRS. The SSS Unit assists children and young people facing a range of barriers to learning and wellbeing to achieve their educational and developmental potential through the provision of a range of strategies and specialised support at individual, group, school and Area levels. SSS comprise a broad range of Allied Health professions including psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers, Occupational Therapists and Behaviour Analysts. The SSS workforce use the Department's Student Support Services Handbook and the area Health Wellbeing and Inclusion Workforce Practice Model to guide their work and practices.

About the Role

Student Support Services (SSS) do vital work in supporting students' health and wellbeing – particularly our most vulnerable students – and are critical to building an excellent education system that reduces the impact of disadvantage. The Student Support Services (SSS) workforce use the Department's Student Support Services Handbook to guide their work and practices.

The Student Support Services Manager is also an important part of the Area Leadership team focused on improving the learning and wellbeing of students across Barwon.

The Student Support Services Manager has responsibility for:

• leading the change and workforce reform of Student Support Services (SSS)
• supporting the development and implemention of a needs based allocation model for the provision of SSS to schools
• line management and oversight of team leaders, employees, teams and contractors supporting schools
• coordination of services to schools
• assist in the management of complex cases by SSS employees within the area
• monitoring contracts related to SSS provision
• ensuring the use of state-wide guidelines and practice; and the statewide Professional Supervision Framework is used to support SSS employees
• facilitating the use of the Student Online Case System to support service delivery based on need
• participating in Regional and Statewide SSS Managers groups to ensure consistent service
• facilitating professional supervision and providing professional support and development
• oversee the SSS budget in collaboration with the regional finance manager
• participating in area and statewide governance as required
• undertake other duties as required by the Regional Director (or nominee)

Attributes

• Authentic Relationships
• People Leadership
• Flexibility and Adaptability
• Working Collaboratively
• Critical Thinking and Problem solving

Qualifications and Experience

• Desirable: A relevant tertiary qualification in Education or Allied Health.

The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Working With Children Check.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values 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 more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Cat Salt, Executive Director via.0439581*** or *************@education.vic.gov.au

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Friday 30 October 2026.