The Department of Education is committed to developing and implementing a state-wide continuum of educational delivery to ensure that students with chronic health or complex mental health conditions receive specialised and appropriate educational support at all stages of their illness.

As part of this commitment, South East Region are recruiting a specialist Guidance Officer to specifically support primary and secondary students with complex mental health conditions on a temporary full-time basis, for the duration of Term 3, unless otherwise determined.

Job details

This temporary vacancy is open to Expressions of Interest and any extensions to this appointment will not exceed 12 months. 

The role of the Guidance Officer Mental Health specifically includes three key priorities:

Priority 1: Intensive intervention, re-engagement, response and support of students with highly complex mental health conditions. This will be done through ongoing, long-term support for students discharged from mental health inpatient units and day programs who are transitioning to state, Catholic or independent schools or other educational pathways.

Priority 2: Identification, support and intervention planning for students with highly complex mental health issues. The Guidance Officer Mental Health will work with schools to support students with complex mental health conditions who are under the treatment of a mental health clinician in the community, ensuring students with complex mental health conditions are included and can access, participate, engage and be connected in education.

Priority 3: Promotion, prevention, awareness and capacity building regarding mental health within the Guidance community and school leadership teams. The Guidance Officer Mental Health will source and facilitate appropriate staff professional development to support education programming for young people with complex mental health needs.

Other key duties include:

• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and fostering effective relationships and partnerships with students, families, schools, hospital education programs, CYMHS and external support agencies (with clear guidelines regarding the role of Education staff).
• Developing and supporting the implementation of student support plans.
• Supporting schools with the individual complex case management of students with mental health conditions.
• Supporting schools to provide inclusive practices and making recommendations for educational adjustments for students with mental health conditions.
• Providing appropriate support and advice based on relevant policies, procedures and legislation.

Supervision and support:
The Guidance Officer Mental Health will be supervised by a Senior Guidance Officer in the South East Region. All Guidance Officers Mental Health are further supported by State Schools - Operations (DoE central office) and the Executive Principal of Queensland Children's Hospital School to foster coordination and consistency across the regions.

About You:
Highly desirable (but not mandatory) skills include:

1. An extensive knowledge of educational pathways and support programs.

Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position.

How to Apply

• Please attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant previous work history); and
• A 1-pg written statement about how your achievements and capabilities meet the requirements of the role.
• Attach a copy of your mandatory qualifications/registration outlined in the attached role description.

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive. 

Applicants need to be a current Queensland Government employee to be eligible to apply. 

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted. 

When working in regulated employment an employee must have a current Working with Children Clearance (blue card) issued by Blue Card Services.

Salary rate shown is reflective of full-time (1.0 FTE). 

The Department of Education is a family inclusive workplace. Click here to find out more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategies. 

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

For a full list of the position responsibilities and mandatory requirements, please ensure you download the attached role description and candidate information fact sheet and follow the instructions.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• SER644086_25E - Role Description (PDF, 170KB)
  Role Description
  
  Applicant Information Package (PDF, 245KB)
  Information Package for Applicants