Advertised Vacancy Number: SS/SS757081
This is a six (6) month fixed term, full-time position commencing Term 3, 2022 with possible extension and/or permanency
Are you looking for a unique role that makes a difference for our most vulnerable students?
The School of Special Educational Needs: Behaviour and Engagement (SSEN:BE) has responsibility and oversight for the delivery and monitoring of services and support for students with extreme, complex and challenging behaviours. Services are delivered by SSEN:BE staff providing support to public schools in each education region, Engagement Centres and the Banksia Hill Detention Centre (BHDC) - a custodial setting for young offenders.
SSEN:BE are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Student Support Officer to be located at, and work in collaboration with, the Department of Justice teaching staff at BHDC to support young people transitioning between youth justice and education
The successful applicant will ideally have previous experience in a similar position working with children and adolescents with complex and challenging behaviours and be competent in maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality. The ability to work collaboratively as part of a case management team is critical to this role. An applied experience in de-escalation, Trauma Awareness in Schools and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Strategies would be highly desirable.
As the Student Support Officer, you will use your effective communication skills to obtain school engagement and achievement records to inform and support the planning of and academic program for young people entering BHDC to increase their engagement with learning activities in the custodial classroom setting. In collaboration with the case management team you will record, collate, and prepare information to support the development of educative pathways for young people pre, post and during detention. The Student Support Officer will ideally have excellent interpersonal skills to quickly establish effective working relationships with young people, their families, and key stakeholders and will act in a culturally responsive and informed manner. The Student Support Officer will attend and actively participate in multidisciplinary case planning meetings with key stakeholders and provide relevant information and advice on the young people they support.
The successful applicant will ideally have a practised knowledge of issues for young people and contribute to and participate in special educational days and organised activities and projects at BHDC. The successful applicant will be required to maintain safety and security procedures within BHDC and always follow the directions of custodial staff.
The successful applicant will be required to hold and maintain a current WA “C” class drivers’ licence for the tenure of their position as you will make home visits to families and provide some transportation of students. You will be required to attend associated training, professional learning and school development days at SSEN: BE’s main school site which operates out of Statewide Services in Padbury and may involve travel across our school and regions. Additional training and screening may be required in this role to meet Justice requirements for the BHDC setting.
School context:
SSEN:BE is part of the network of specialist schools that operates under the Statewide Services pillar of Service Delivery. SSEN:BE provides educational support and services with schools for students who present with extreme, complex and challenging behaviours across a K-12 context. A continuum of consultative support with schools for students is delivered through Engagement Centres and the Midland Learning Academy. The services of Engagement Centres and the Academy are coordinated through SSEN:BE which provides the administrative structure that oversees and manages these services as a Statewide model of supports for schools, teachers and students. The services complement other teams working in networks, regions and schools, supporting a greater number of students across the state. Support is available across the public school system.
Engagement Centres coordinate the K-12 provision of the following three services:
- Professional learning to improve student engagement and behaviour
- Consultative support for schools needing additional advice on dealing with challenging behaviour and managing severely disengaged students and/or those with very complex needs
- Intensive support for individual students exhibiting the most extreme, challenging and complex needs
This selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy. Applicants assessed as suitable during this selection process may be considered for other similar vacancies that occur throughout our school for up to 12 months following this initial appointment. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.
To be suitable for this role, you will need to demonstrate the following work related requirements (selection criteria):
- Good oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships.
- Effective planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities within timelines.
- Good research, conceptual and analytical skills, including the ability to identify problems and provide solutions.
- Skills and experience in working with individual or small groups of students experiencing difficulties.
- Knowledge of the youth sector, particularly local organisations and services.
Applications will be assessed against these work related requirements (selection criteria) of the position. The business needs of the school may also be considered. It is therefore recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy.
The Department is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.
Further information about SSEN:BE can be found by visiting ssenbe.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.
Visit wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice to find out more about the Department of Justice.
For further job related information:
Please contact Nicole Maurer, Associate Principal, by telephoning 0491 227 458 or emailing nicole.maurer@education.wa.edu.au
Application Instructions
All applications are submitted online. Select “Apply for Job”, at either the top or bottom of this screen and follow the instructions on your screen.
Your application should include:
- A four (4) page statement addressing the Work Related Requirements (selection criteria), in context of the role and business needs of the school
- A CV of up to four (4) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
- The contact details for two (2) work related referees (one being your current line manager)
It is recommended you have these documents completed and ready to attach before selecting “Apply for Job”.
You are asked to complete an online application form and attach your documentation, please allow enough time to complete this process as applications cannot be accepted after the closing date and time.
After you have submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming lodgement. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please telephone (08) 9264 4127.
If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone (08) 9264 8666 for assistance.
ELIGIBILITY AND TRAINING
Employees will be required to:
- obtain a current department of Education Criminal Record Clearance prior to commencement of employment
- obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check
- obtain clearance to work in Banksia Hill Detention Centre
- complete the department’s induction program within three months of commencement
- complete any training specific to this role required by departmental policy
- complete the department’s training in Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making within six months of appointment
- complete the Department’s Aboriginal Cultural Appreciation course
- provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy
The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.
Applications must be submitted before 4.30pm (WST) on Wednesday, 29 June 2022
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE
PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.