Educational Psychologist

Transcription

1 Role Terms Weeks per year Classification Educational Psychologist Permanent full-time 37.5 hours per week 46 weeks per year Education Support Officer Other Professionals Stream Grade 6 Year 4 Responsible to Deputy Principal R-12 About Loreto Loreto College is an independent Catholic Day and Boarding School for girls from Early Learning to Year 12. It is one of many schools throughout the world directed by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary IBVM (also known as the Loreto Sisters). To work in a Loreto school is to be part of a vibrant tradition reaching back to 1609 when Mary Ward established her first school for girls in Europe. A strong belief in the capacity and responsibility of women to contribute significantly to society and to the Church underlies the emphasis in Loreto s education tradition. This is based on Mary Ward s conviction that Women in time to come will do much. In 1905, Loreto in Adelaide opened in Sydenham Road at Norwood. The present site, The Acacias, on Portrush Road was opened in 1921 with 100 students. Today, there are some 700 students from Reception to Year 12 including 58 boarders. The Loreto Schools of Australia Mission Statement embodies this vision: Loreto schools offer a Catholic education which liberates, empowers and motivates students to use their individual gifts with confidence, creativity and generosity in loving and responsible service. Loreto College is an authorised school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years and Middle Years Program.

2 Position Overview It is the responsibility of the Educational Psychologist to know, accept and develop this rich heritage. It is the responsibility of the Educational Psychologist to know and implement school policies that ensure the meeting of legislative requirements as pertaining to schools. The Educational Psychologist s main responsibility is to help children or young people who are experiencing problems within an educational setting with the aim of enhancing their learning. The Educational Psychologist is immediately responsible to the Deputy Principal R-12, with whom he/she works in close collaboration and consultation and to whom he/she reports on a regular basis. The Educational Psychologist attends the Year Level Leaders (Years 7-12) meetings and liaises with the Year Level Leaders, Educational Speech Pathologist, Heads of School and Head of Boarding as the need arises. An understanding of The Loreto Mission Statement for Schools and of the Catholic ethos of the school is essential. The Educational Psychologist must also be cognisant of Catholic Education Office guidelines as they pertain to this area of education. The Educational Psychologist will maintain high ethical standards and work in accord, for example, with mandatory reporting requirements. Collaborative teaching and learning programmes are provided by the Educational Psychologist through information obtained in assessing the child utilising observation, interviews and test materials. The Educational Psychologist aims to enhance children and young people s learning and enables teachers to become more aware of the social factors affecting teaching and learning. Key Accountabilities Responsibilities and Expectations Key Performance Indicators Communication liaise with other professionals and facilitate meetings, discussions and courses; evidence of effective meetings, with actions documented refer, as appropriate, to external health professionals; evidence of use of range of communication strategies report to the Principal and/or relevant senior leadership critical situations involving students, both inside or outside of the College; demonstrated strong communication, interpersonal and people skills advise and support the leadership team in the management of critical incidents in the College community involving student, parent or staff trauma; quality relationships are developed and maintained communication strategies are effective Developing Others advise and support teachers, parents and other educational professionals; evidence of participation and contribution of information evidence of effective support and mentoring Planning and Goal Setting develop and support therapeutic and behaviour management programmes; design and develop courses for parents, teachers and others involved with the education of children and young people evidence of quality therapeutic and behaviour management programmes evidence of development of appropriate courses

3 design and develop appropriate prevention/intervention projects involving children and young people; evidence of development of prevention/intervention projects review and develop policies; evidence of development of policy formulate interventions that focus on applying knowledge, skills and expertise in educational settings; develop and apply effective interventions to promote psychological well-being, social, emotional and behavioural development and to raise educational standards; development of interventions appropriate to an educational setting Problem Solving and Decision Making assess learning and emotional needs through observation and consulting with teachers to advise on the best approaches and provisions to support learning and development; write reports making formal recommendations on actions to be taken; processes exist for setting and reviewing high standards in assessing learning and emotional needs evidence of strategies in providing support to learning and development attend case conferences involving multidisciplinary teams on how best to meet the social, emotional, behavioural and learning needs of children and young people in their care; evidence of availability for meetings evidence of maintenance of confidentiality maintain appropriate, confidential records of student contact; evidence of accurate records management teach in the pastoral care programme across all year levels; evidence of availability to teach act as the back-up teacher for Stage 1 and 2 Psychology; Collaboration collaboratively work with teachers to assess a student through observation, interviews and test materials; work with teachers on their teaching and learning programmes to assist students with learning or behavioural difficulties; participate in relevant meetings, including staff meetings, planning meetings etc; Continuous Learning maintain external network relationships relevant to the profession; engage in professional development opportunities or associations in relevant areas which are external to the College; evidence of effective meetings evidence of collaborative work occurring evidence of development of appropriate strategies being implemented and adopted for improved outcomes attend external conferences and share the learning with faculty staff

4 take responsibility for achieving challenging personal professional goals; develop and sustain a positive image and profile within the Loreto community; strive for excellence through the use of reflective practices; engage in reflective review with your line manager; evidence of memberships and participation in professional associations evidence of participation in personal/professional initiatives Mission and Ethos incorporate Loreto s Mission Statement, its principles and values into teaching and learning programs and practices; evidence that programs reflect the values outlined in the Mission Statement role model Christian values in all dealings with students, staff and parents; evidence of how values are exhibited fully support the Catholic ethos by taking part in staff and student prayer, retreats, social justice activities and voluntary service; evidence of attendance participate in community events; Community provide consistent public support both within and outside of the College for school-wide policy initiatives and strategic plans; evidence of support of College s goals and strategic objectives attend College functions such as enrolment interviews, parent nights, information evenings, Open Days/Nights; maintain a professional standard of dress in accordance with the College s Staff Dress Guidelines; maintain confidentiality at all times and demonstrate high professional standards within the College and community; evidence of availability to participate at College functions evidence attire meets standards evidence confidentiality and high professional standards are maintained at all times

5 Person Specification Knowledge and Skills Required Registration as a Psychologist by AHPRA and Australian Psychological Society (APS). Demonstrated extensive experience as Psychologist working with young female adolescents. Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of programs, policies and procedures for students and the school community. Demonstrated knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, appropriate to a range of contexts, underpinned by the Loreto values. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective consultative and working relationships that enhance the provision of effective services for students at risk. Proven ability to work effectively as a team member as well as independently, with demonstrated high-level organisational and time management skills. Proven ability to recognise the need to refer cases on to suitable external professional agencies, when appropriate. Proven ability to actively engage in own professional learning and participation in relevant associations. Demonstrated understanding of the ethos of a Catholic school and in particular, one that operates according to the charism of Mary Ward (Loreto). Ability to teach Stage 1 and 2 Psychology. Personal Qualities Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, that can be used effectively with staff, students and parents Excellent interpersonal skills underpinned by the Loreto values Willingness to contribute to the co-curricula program Qualifications Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent which gives eligibility for full membership to Australian Psychological Society, supported by AHPRA Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or experience related to the teaching responsibility required by the position Be registered to teach in South Australia and hold a current South Australian Teacher s Registration Board Certificate Desirable Characteristics Knowledge and experience of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years and Middle Years Program

6 Work Health and Safety Teachers (including PORs), Non-teaching positions WORKERS This role is deemed to be a Worker under the South Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act As a Worker, while at work you must take reasonable care for your own health and safety take reasonable care that your actions or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons comply, in so far as you are reasonably able to, with any reasonable instruction given by the employer cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure of the employer that is related to health and safety at the workplace that has been notified to workers Reference: Division 4, Section 27 and 28 WHS Act 2012 Probation A probationary period applies to this appointment. Upon satisfactory completion of the probationary period your appointment will be confirmed. Appraisal and Annual Review An appraisal for your appointment is conducted every second and fourth year of your appointment. The basis of the appraisal utilises the above Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assist with discussion in determining capacity to meet the demands of the role, to provide ongoing professional learning and support and to determine the levels of job satisfaction. An Annual Review is undertaken annually (in non-appraisal years) with your line manager to provide feedback and discussion for professional growth. APPROVAL Job Description Approved... Print Name Signature Principal or Delegate Date... Print Name Signature Staff Member Date August 2015

7 Applications Applications for the position of Educational Psychologist should be addressed to: Dr Sylvia Walton AO EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL Loreto College 316 Portrush Road MARRYATVILLE SA 5068 The position is a full-time fixed term contract position for five years ( ). The position commences on 18 January A probationary period applies to this appointment. Upon satisfactory completion of the probationary period your appointment will be confirmed. Terms and Conditions Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or experience related to the both the Educational Psychologist and teaching responsibilities required by the position. All applicants must be registered to teach in South Australia and hold a current South Australian Teacher s Registration Board certificate. All applicants will be required to undergo a federal police check and undertake mandatory notification training and Basic Casualty Care. Please attach any relevant certificates to your application. Included with your application Please provide 3 copies of the following documents: Address each of the Selection Criteria outlined in the position description. Your Curriculum Vitae The names, addresses and full contact details of three referees who may be approached. All applicants will be required to complete an Applicant Declaration Form for School Employees which is available on our website. This Form must be submitted with your application. Closing Date Applications close at 4.00 pm on Monday, 26 October 2015