Student Services Consultant: School Counsellor/Psychologist

Expand and share your school-based knowledge, skills and expertise to over 500 independent schools across NSW by joining the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW) as an Education Consultant: School Psychologist.

To continue to provide a member-focused service and high-quality support for schools regarding student matters, our team is expanding. A new position has become available in the Student Services Portfolio to commence as soon as possible or at a date to be negotiated with the preferred candidate.

We are seeking a consultant in the role of school counsellor/psychologist focused on providing guidance to schools about planning for individual student matters as well as facilitating professional learning. The position is full-time, but part-time will be considered. 

Our purpose

AISNSW is the peak body supporting and representing independent schools in NSW and provides a range of services across NSW and ACT. We believe in the excellence and opportunities that come with choice, diversity and independence in education and aim to serve and champion Independent schools.

How we work

We are member–focused serving the diverse needs of schools.

We act with integrity demonstrating respect and discretion.

We have expertise working together to provide high quality advocacy, guidance and services.

We are forward–looking anticipating future needs in a fast-changing world.

We go above and beyond passionate about our work and committed to excellence.

What will you do?

The broader role of the Education Consultant: School Counsellor/Psychologist at AISNSW typically involves a variety of face-to-face consultancies, tailored professional learning sessions, briefings, group presentations, conference facilitation and instructional coaching. The audience for these can be individuals or groups of people including principals, school executives, school counsellors, classroom teachers and professional support staff.  

The position will also involve responding to requests for advice from schools regarding individual student matters. Student needs may be related to academic, behavioural, social or emotional development, mental health difficulties, school refusal, gender identity, or a combination of the above. Supporting schools with the facilitation of meetings relating to individual planning, as well as school attendance matters, is a further component to the role.

The role also involves providing proactive, whole-school support related to longer term initiatives focused on:

• the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
• framework of behaviour support and student engagement 
• mental health and wellbeing.

What qualifications will you need?

• Undergraduate qualifications in psychology/mental health. Post-graduate qualifications are desirable.
• Be a registered psychologist, or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or a relevant regulatory body.
• Current experience in a school-based counsellor/psychologist role. 

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Responding to a diverse and varied range of specific school and individual student matters via a dedicated intake service. Student matters may be related to cognitive, sensory, physical and/or social and emotional development.
• Advising and assisting schools with the development of Individual Plans and Safety Plans.
• Undertaking risk assessment planning in collaboration with schools.
• Facilitating attendance planning meetings including Compulsory Attendance Conferences.
• Designing and delivering effective professional learning both face-to-face and online for staff in independent schools as well as developing associated resources.
• Delivering components associated with the Whole-school Wellbeing initiative.
• Supporting schools to implement components of the AISNSW Behaviour Support and Student Engagement framework.
• Guiding schools in understanding and applying relevant processes associated with the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD).
• Contributing to a range of strategic projects and priorities within the Portfolio.
• Representing AISNSW and the independent school sector on committees and in a variety of forums in a professional manner.
• Other duties as required by the Chief Executive.

What skills and attributes will you have?

• Capacity to maintain confidentiality, discretion and deal respectfully with sensitive student matters and personal information.
• Extensive experience supporting students with a range of social-emotional and behavioural presentations and learning needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of supporting neurodiversity and neurodivergence.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, including disability legislation.
• Confidence to deliver and ability to engage groups of adult learners in professional learning experiences via a range of modes.
• Capacity to fulfil an instructional leadership/coaching role when guiding and advising schools. 
• Desire to be open-minded, adaptable and solutions-focused when collaborating with schools around multifaceted student matters.

What we need:

• Ideally full-time availability (part-time will be considered), Sydney-based role.
• Capacity to work within the office environment.
• Capacity to travel across metropolitan Sydney and beyond, including across NSW into regional areas, which involves being away overnight, at times consecutive nights.
• Flexibility with early starts and late finishes based on travel requirements.
• NSW Working with Children Check.
• A current NSW Driver’s Licence.

What we offer you:

• Structured induction processes.
• Four weeks annual leave (additional leave for the office closure period between Christmas and New Year is determined by the Board each year).
• Additional leave opportunities (e.g., study leave, purchased leave, cultural leave).
• Motor vehicle option.
• Salary packaging.
• Flexible work arrangements including a combination of working away from the office as well as dedicated time for collaboration in the office.
• Internal and external professional learning opportunities, such as courses and conferences.
• Collegiality with a team of highly experienced Consultants with a range expertise and professional qualifications to collaborate with and learn from.
• Dedicated, staff wellbeing initiatives to promote connectedness and self-care.  

Eager to join a dynamic team and work together to strengthen student outcomes? If so, please complete the AISNSW application form and include:

• Covering letter
• CV
• Overview, including specific examples, that highlight your:

oCurrent role and recent experience related to supporting students with diverse needs within the school context and

oSkills and attributes aligned to the role of an AISNSW Education Consultant.

You may like to refer back to the Key Responsibilities and Skills and Attributes sections of this position description. The overview is to be no longer than one page. 

Commencement date to be negotiated depending on the required notice period for current employment and successful candidate’s circumstances.

Applications close Wednesday 12 June 2024.

Invitations to interview for this role may occur upon receipt of the application prior to the closing date and may be extended beyond the closing date. AISNSW reserves the right to reduce the application period and/or remove the job advertisement early should a suitable applicant be found.