Student Wellbeing Advisor

Government schools; Bendigo; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) is seeking a Student Wellbeing Advisor to provide individualised, student-centred wellbeing support and short-term counselling within professional scope. You will collaborate with families, staff and external services to support students facing personal and social challenges affecting safety and engagement.

The role includes coordinating referrals, maintaining confidential records and contributing to wellbeing programs within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to provide one-to-one, student-centred wellbeing support to adolescents.
• Knowledge of child safety, risk identification and mandatory reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build trust with young people and families.
• Experience coordinating support with community services and external agencies.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to maintain confidential records.
• Commitment to Department values, inclusive practice and student safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one, short-term, solution-focused counselling and wellbeing support to students.
• Build trusting relationships and provide a safe, inclusive point of contact.
• Identify student needs and set realistic support goals and strategies.
• Assist students to access internal supports and external specialist services as needed.
• Follow up referrals and escalate emerging concerns through college processes.
• Maintain confidential case notes and records in approved systems.
• Work with the Student Wellbeing Team and school staff to coordinate student support.

Skills

Student wellbeing

Child safety

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Organisation

Professional values

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications in counselling, social work, youth work, psychology, mental health or related field

Experience supporting adolescents with complex wellbeing needs

Job description

SC1 Demonstrated ability to provide effective one-to-one, student-centred wellbeing support to adolescents, including appropriate assessment of needs, short-term intervention and referral.

SC2 Demonstrated understanding of child safety, risk identification, mandatory reporting and appropriate responses to complex or sensitive student wellbeing concerns.

SC3 Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the capacity to build trust with young people and work effectively with families, school staff and external agencies.

SC4 Demonstrated capacity to coordinate support with community services and relevant statutory agencies, including maintaining professional boundaries and appropriate information sharing.

SC5 Strong organisational skills, professional judgement and ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate confidential records and contribute effectively to a multidisciplinary team.

SC6 Demonstrated commitment to Department values, inclusive practice, reflective professional learning and the safety and wellbeing of young people.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated ability to provide effective one-to-one, student-centred wellbeing support to adolescents, including appropriate assessment of needs, short-term intervention and referral.

SC2 Demonstrated understanding of child safety, risk identification, mandatory reporting and appropriate responses to complex or sensitive student wellbeing concerns.

SC3 Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the capacity to build trust with young people and work effectively with families, school staff and external agencies.

SC4 Demonstrated capacity to coordinate support with community services and relevant statutory agencies, including maintaining professional boundaries and appropriate information sharing.

SC5 Strong organisational skills, professional judgement and ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate confidential records and contribute effectively to a multidisciplinary team.

SC6 Demonstrated commitment to Department values, inclusive practice, reflective professional learning and the safety and wellbeing of young people.

Role

The Student Wellbeing Advisor provides individualised, student-centred wellbeing support, including short-term solution-focused counselling and practical assistance within their qualifications, competence and professional scope. Working as part of the multidisciplinary Student Wellbeing Team, the Advisor supports students experiencing personal, social, emotional, family or other challenges that affect their wellbeing, safety and engagement with education.

The role includes coordinating appropriate referrals and working collaboratively with families, school staff, external wellbeing and mental health services, and, when required in relation to child safety, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Child Protection and Victoria Police. The Advisor reports to the Assistant Principal - Engagement & Wellbeing.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities below describe the breadth of the role and will be prioritised in consultation with the Assistant Principal - Engagement & Wellbeing, according to student needs, risk, available resources and college priorities. Duties must remain consistent with the ES1-4 classification and the employee's professional qualifications and competence.

Individual student wellbeing support

• Provide one-to-one, short-term, solution-focused counselling, wellbeing support and practical guidance to students, consistent with professional qualifications and role boundaries.
• Build trusting, respectful relationships with students and provide a safe, inclusive and culturally responsive point of contact.
• Identify student strengths, needs and barriers to learning and engagement, and work with students to establish realistic support goals and strategies.
• Assist students to access appropriate internal supports and external specialist services where needs extend beyond the scope of school-based support.
• Follow up referrals and review student progress, escalating emerging or significant concerns through established college processes.

Child safety, risk and critical concerns

• Recognise and respond promptly to disclosures, indicators of harm, significant mental health concerns and other safety risks, in accordance with college and Department policies.
• Undertake appropriate immediate protective and escalation actions, including contacting emergency services when necessary, and fulfil applicable mandatory reporting and other child safety obligations.
• Liaise with DFFH Child Protection, Victoria Police and other authorised agencies where required, in consultation with relevant school leaders where appropriate and without delaying any required report or protective action.
• Participate in coordinated safety planning and follow-up, working within professional scope and relevant privacy and information-sharing requirements.
• Maintain accurate, factual, timely and secure records of concerns, actions, referrals and communications.

External agency and family partnerships

• Build and maintain productive relationships with local wellbeing, youth, family, mental health and community support agencies.
• Facilitate referrals, service connections and coordinated support for students, including follow-up to support access and continuity of care.
• Communicate sensitively and constructively with parents and carers, where appropriate and safe, to strengthen support for students.
• Participate in relevant case conferences, interagency meetings and professional networks, and represent the college when requested.
• Share relevant information lawfully and proportionately under applicable consent, privacy, child safety and information-sharing frameworks.

Collaboration and wellbeing programs

• Work collaboratively with the Student Wellbeing Team, classroom teachers, advisors, inclusion staff, careers and pathways staff and school leaders to coordinate student support.
• Contribute to wellbeing planning, student support meetings and strategies that strengthen connection, attendance and engagement.
• Provide relevant advice and practical guidance to staff about student wellbeing needs, while respecting confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Contribute to college wellbeing education, prevention activities and staff professional learning as appropriate.
• Assist students to access financial or material support in accordance with college guidelines and delegated responsibilities.

Records, accountability and improvement

• Maintain confidential case notes, referral records and relevant student wellbeing information in approved college systems.
• Monitor caseload priorities, student follow-up and service connections, and provide appropriate updates to the Assistant Principal - Engagement & Wellbeing.
• Use professional supervision, consultation, feedback and learning to reflect on practice and strengthen the quality of support.
• Contribute to the evaluation and continuous improvement of student wellbeing services and referral processes

Who May Apply

Qualifications & experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in counselling, social work, youth work, psychology, mental health or a related field, and experience supporting adolescents, are highly desirable.
• Experience working with complex student wellbeing needs, family engagement and community service systems is highly regarded.

Ways of working

All staff at Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) are expected to contribute to and uphold the following ways of working. These expectations reflect how we work together to support our students, our colleagues and our college community, and are considered alongside role-specific responsibilities.

Value people

Build positive and respectful relationships. Recognise, support and develop the contribution of others while fostering inclusion, belonging and high expectations.

Build trust and collaboration

Work collaboratively across teams, portfolios and partnerships. Communicate clearly, follow through on commitments and contribute to shared success.

Lead with integrity and accountability

Demonstrate professionalism, consistency and sound judgement. Maintain clear expectations and take responsibility for actions and outcomes.

Prioritise wellbeing and connection

Promote a culture of care, inclusion and belonging. Maintain a student-centred and relational approach.

Promote learning and growth

Use evidence, feedback and reflection to inform improvement. Build capability through coaching, collaboration and professional learning.

Inspire purpose and optimism

Take initiative to improve practice, culture and outcomes. Focus on solutions, innovation and continuous improvement while contributing to a culture where students and staff can thrive.

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. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *****@education.vic.gov.au

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

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:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department'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 department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

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 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal

Location Profile

Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC)

Bendigo Senior Secondary College (BSSC) is a Year 11 and 12 school located in one of Victoria's strongest and fastest growing regional areas. With an enrolment of approx. 1900 students, we are the largest provider of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered in schools in the state.

Our ROLE at BSSC is to empower learners for individual, community and global leadership, underpinned by the values of Respect, Optimism, Learning and Engagement. We are proud of the significant role we play supporting young people from the Greater Bendigo community to access high quality education programs, tailored to meet the individual needs and pathway goals of every student.

BSSC is located within the Rosalind Park precinct in the centre of Bendigo and has enjoyed an unrivalled picturesque location on this site for more than a century. The entire college site is on the Victorian Heritage Register. Staff, students and the broader community value the history of the college, and the contribution it has made to the city and to state education.

The college provides an inclusive learning environment which supports students to develop attributes and behaviours necessary to be respectful community members, independent and resourceful learners and to achieve success within and beyond school. We foster a strong study culture with high expectations around student effective use of private study time in the various study spaces around the college. Students are provided with free access to an extensive range of high quality learning support and exam revision opportunities.

Staff are committed to supporting the academic progress and wellbeing of students where strong, respectful relationships are the basis for all communication. Students are encouraged to interact closely with their teachers and seek help at any time.

The college has a reputation for exemplary use of ICT and delivery of online learning. Students have high level access to ICT and the college operates a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model where students provide their own laptop or other device to support their learning. There is an emphasis on the use of blended delivery, which allows students to access digital curriculum resources to support the classroom instruction provided by teachers. This is enhanced by access to digital content developed through the Victorian Virtual Learning Network, a BSSC initiative where the college provides VCE online to students in schools around the state in a range of VCE studies.

An online portal is available which allows parents to monitor attendance, work completion and achievement in real time and provides for the approval of absences. Teachers upload key assessment outcomes and comments in a progressive reporting model.

A strength of our college is the expertise and commitment of our dedicated staff. Teachers at BSSC play a leading role in state wide curriculum development, subject associations, VCAA assessment processes and in the professional learning of teachers across the state. All staff are expected to demonstrate the highest professional standards and a commitment to excellence. The college has a culture of self-reflection and continuous improvement which is supported by a rigorous performance and development process, allowing recognition of outstanding work and identification of areas for further improvement.

A wide range of VCE studies is offered and students can select units in Business and Information Technology, English, Health & Physical Education, Languages & EAL, Humanities, Mathematics, Performing Arts & Media, Science, Technology and Visual Arts. An accelerated learning program operates in conjunction with Bendigo’s four government 7-10 colleges where students are able to undertake some VCE studies whilst in Year 10 and are then encouraged to undertake a Unit 3/4 study in their first year at the college.

Students have access to the VCE's Vocational Major offering and the Victorian Pathways Certificate and also to Head Start school based apprenticeships and traineeships.