Welfare

Director of Student Services The Director of Student Services at Mount Erin oversees the smooth operation of a team dedicated to providing best practice student services within the College. The team that meets weekly consists of: - The Action Project Worker (FT) - The DE&T Psychologist (0.4 EFT) - Careers Teacher (0.6 EFT) - Student Counsellors (1.0 EFT) - Adolescent Health Nurse (0.4 EFT) Referrals to these workers pass across the Director's desk and the clients are matched to the most appropriate worker. The Special Needs Coordinator also attends the weekly meeting ensuring that the special needs of all students are addressed. This office maintains extensive external networks to assist students and to support workers, teachers and parents in assisting students to address the myriad of issues confronting today'’s adolescents.
Student Counsellor/Transition Project Officer The position comprises Student Counsellor and Transition Project Officer within the Student Services and Careers Department of Mount Erin College. Students are counselled on a range of welfare issues to assist with their growth, development and overall wellbeing. Personal development programs which aim to enhance students' self esteem or work on a range of social issues are also implemented by the Student Counsellor. The Transition Project is a partnership between the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence and secondary schools. It is for young people aged 15 to 19 years old who are unsure of their direction. The Transition Project Officer works part of the week on the school site and one day a week in a community setting so those young people at school and those who have left the school can still access the service. The work involves maintaining contact with the potential early school leavers at school and when they have left school for a period of at least 12 months. The Transition Project includes goal setting, career options for TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships and preparation for work such as the development of resumes and interview practice. Its main aim is to assist students in accessing information, resources, practical experience and learning opportunities in relation to education, training and employment.
Literacy Coordinator (Special Educational Needs) PSD Coordinator (Programme for Students with Disabilities) The Literacy Coordinator deals directly with pupils individually, in small groups and whole classes. This means the Coordinator is able to work with students who have a broad range of learning issues. In the Learning Centre, the Coordinator works intensively with any pupil who needs support to develop literacy skills in order to access curriculum and raise achievement, consults with parents and teachers to decide which kind of support may be required and to better understand the student's unique learning profile. IEPs (Individual Education Plans) A student's literacy needs can be identified through examples of unassisted reading and writing. In consultation with teachers, an IEP is developed for all pupils with special educational needs. This document outlines what the pupil already knows, and what s/he needs to know (the next step). It includes the pupil's learning style and strengths, as well as strategies that will assist all teachers instructing him/her. PSD Programme A PSD director has responsibility for pupils who have disabilities. This person refers students for assessment and coordinates reapplications for funding. Four SSOs (teacher aides) assist with pupils in classes where necessary.
Adolescent Health Nurse The Adolescent Health Nurse is a registered nurse with community, primary health, adolescent health or mental health experience. The key roles of the nurse within our school community are health promotion, health counselling consultation, networking and referral. These are achieved in a number of ways through class sessions, one to one counselling, health promotion displays and targeted small group work. The Adolescent Health Nurse is employed by the Department of Human Services and works alongside the school community as part of the school welfare team. The Nurse is required to adhere to protocols and practices both within the school and within the nurse's mandated legislative and registration responsibilities. The nurse carries out health needs analysis to identify health needs within a particular school community and health promotion material can be presented as part of the health curriculum or as stand alone sessions in response to specific situations. All students can access the nurse for health information and support but there is a particular focus on the junior years of secondary school. The specific goals of the nurse are to reduce risk taking behaviours among young people, prevent ill health and problem behaviours and provide appropriate primary health care.
Careers Coordinator The Careers Coordinator is responsible for work experience for Year 10 students and any other students over 15 who may benefit from a placement in the real world. Being available for course advice on tertiary institutions, apprenticeships, occupations and subject selection is integral to this role. The Careers Coordinator delivers this information in counselling appointments with students and parents, various workshops and information nights. The Careers Room houses a wealth of information and is continually updated with course brochures, guides and hundreds of resources.