Job Summary

The Welfare Officer will play a critical role in supporting students to enable engagement/re-engagement in their education. The Welfare Officer will effectively implement and take responsibility for the College’s welfare program. This will involve supporting classroom teachers in their leadership and care of the student body. Central to this will be providing assistance that help resolve practical personal challenges, and when challenges are complex, refer to appropriately skilled agencies. This work will require an ability to work collaboratively in a professional team environment in adherence with Y2IC vision, values and strategic plans with restorative practice at its core. The position will also include overseeing Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) requirements for social emotional students including allocating levels, implementation of appropriate adjustments and record keeping.

Key Accountabilities

General Duties and Responsibilities

· To take a supporting role in achieving the College’s strategic goals for the well being of students and staff

· To develop mutually respectful partnerships within the College that promote emotional, social, physical and mental wellbeing

· To build community partnerships that will provide support to students and facilitate connections with outside agencies

· To work in partnership to establish individual education, behaviour or care support plans; and facilitate care team meetings

· To work in partnership with teachers to plan for students who require social emotional modifications

· To remain informed of legal obligations around the Disability Standards Act for Education

· To work with teachers and support staff to report and collect data for placing students in the NCCD levels including adjustments required

· To provide initial confidential triage/counselling to students on a needs basis and external referral as required

· To conduct mental health risk assessments at enrolment and ongoing as required

· To maintain comprehensive and confidential student files including for NCCD and care teams

· To support the Principal to write, review and coordinate welfare policies including the introduction of a restorative practice model

· Support the Leader of Senior School to implement Restorative Practices within the College

· To be very actively involved in the VRQA Child Safe Standards

Further Practical Activities

· Meet with staff on a regular basis to identify students where interventions may be required

· Providing welfare support in the management of students at risk

· Follow up with individual students where behaviours are not aligning with school values

· Monitor and implement attendance procedures and follow up with parents and staff around attendance, punctuality and behaviour

· Acting as a source of support, advice and expertise on matters of child safety being a child safety officer

· Maintain a supportive culture with students and colleagues, safeguarding their health and safety

· Encourage and initiate opportunities for student feedback on their learning and classroom experience

· Use a range of communication approaches including Compass, email, phone contact, web platforms and meetings with parents, students and colleagues

· Assisting with the transition of new students into the College

· Other tasks as assigned by the Principal

Professional Development

· To act as a resource for teachers in all matters to do with welfare and learning support including NCCD and restorative practice

· Actively seek feedback on performance from colleagues and students

· Actively engage in ongoing professional development and maintain a portfolio of training undertaken

· Offer professional development to colleagues within and beyond the school

· Adhere to the College professional Code of Conduct

Key Selection Criteria

Qualifications and Experience

· A degree or relevant Tertiary qualifications in Psychology or Social Work/Counselling/Youthwork is required

· Prior experience in a Secondary School setting would be advantageous as well as familiarity with NCCD levels and adjustments

· Demonstrated ability to work with a team initiating and managing change especially in relation to restorative practice

· Demonstrated ability to work with a team in developing, implementing and monitoring student welfare

Personal attributes

· Commitment to diversity, restorative practice techniques and social justice principles

· Self-motivated, initiative taker, flexible, creative and strategic thinker

· Maturity, relationship management skills, passion and care for student safety, wellbeing and life

outcomes

Ensuring the Safety of Children and Young People

Our College takes child protection seriously, and as an employee of Youth2Industry College, you are required to meet the behaviour standards outlined in our Child Safe Policies. You can also access a copy of these guidelines via our website. Therefore, as a part of your duties and responsibilities, you are also required to:

· Provide a welcoming and safe environment for children and young people

· Promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people to whom we provide services

· Ensure that your interactions with children and young people are positive and safe

· Provide adequate care and supervision of young people in your charge

· Act as a positive role model for children and young people

· Report any suspicions, concerns, allegations or disclosures of alleged abuse to management

· Maintain valid ‘working with children’ documentation

· Undergo periodic ‘national criminal history record’ checks

· Report to management any criminal charges or convictions you receive during the course of your employment/volunteering that may indicate a possible risk to children and young people