School Social Worker - Register of Interest

Primary objective

Social Workers work within a Multi-tiered System of Support framework to build the capacity of educators to support students to maximise their educational outcomes. Social Workers provide support to schools to improve the wellbeing and safety of students through evidence-based interventions. Consultation, planning, and short-term individual supports are provided to address student behaviour, wellbeing and social emotional concerns that may be having a direct impact on educational outcomes.

Context statement

Student Wellbeing and Inclusion Programs and Services is part of Inclusion and Engagement Services, which provides differentiated support services to reform inclusion and improve engagement and access to learning for children, students and communities. SWIPS provides advice, guidance and support to clients and stakeholders to ensure all children and students are welcomed into an inclusive learning environment and are able to engage effectively with education and learn to their full potential. Family Inclusive Practice is a key focus, fostering strong school, family and community partnerships to enhance student wellbeing and success.

Key duties and responsibilities

1.    Deliver social emotional and wellbeing services within and across regional teams under the supervision of more experienced or senior practitioners

2.    Work with schools to deliver interventions that improve the wellbeing and safety of students through whole school, whole class, group work and individual supports in collaboration with others, including short term counselling supports.

3.    Participate in the delivery of evidence based Professional Learning sessions provided by SWIPS multidisciplinary teams and in response to Requests for Service.

4.    Maintain high standards of practice documentation and records management and ensure adherence to the legislations, policy frameworks, guidelines and practice standards and maintain accurate record utilising the department databases.

5.    Provide support for critical incident response in urban, rural and remote settings, as required under the supervision of more experienced or senior practitioners. This requires ability to undertake remote travel at short notice

1.    Consult with schools and families to evaluate student functioning and impacting issues to facilitate access and participation in order to maximise educational outcomes for students.

2.    Participate in compulsory training to maintain current practice knowledge and ensure adherence to departmental policies.

Selection criteria

Essential

1.    An approved social work qualification that meets eligibility requirements with the Australia Association of Social Workers.

2.    Demonstrated knowledge in providing a variety of social emotional and wellbeing services appropriate for individual and group level intervention for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs. 

3.    Ability to work independently within defined parameters and in collaboration with colleagues in a multidisciplinary team to provide support to schools on a range of child and adolescent wellbeing and safety issues impacting on educational outcomes.

4.    Demonstrated organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and plan and proven ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

5.    Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse professional, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which includes ethnic, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

6.    Ability to provide professional learning and information to educators and leaderships teams in collaboration with team members.

7.    Knowledge of current evidence for critical incident response and recovery. 

Further information

Corporate conditions apply to this position. The applicant must have a current Working with Children Notice Clearance and hold or be willing to obtain a current NT driver’s licence. Visits to remote schools may necessitate travel by four-wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads or light aircraft and include overnight stays in remote communities of up to four days. Four-wheel drive training will be provided by the NT Department of Education and Training.

Approved: March 2025                                               

Amanda Hubber, Senior Director, Student Wellbeing and Inclusion Programs and Services