Student Engagement and Transitions Officer - Richmond, Australia - Jesuit Social Services

Description

About the organisation

Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. We reflect on the critical factors shaping our contemporary world; the social, political and economic contexts, and we adapt our practice to work with those most in need.

Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.

We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research.

About the program

The Ignatius Learning Centre was established in 2021.

Enrolling students for the first time in Term 1 2021, the Ignatius Learning Centre offers an education that fosters responsibility and transformation, and that engages young people who have had a severely disrupted education and are at significant risk of incarceration and/or further involvement with the youth justice system.

As a specialist Catholic Secondary School guided by a Catholic social ethos and Ignatian heritage, we will provide a holistic education, so that students can experience success in a safe and supportive environment.

The Ignatius Learning Centre will enable students to restore hope, experience a sense of belonging, flourish and reach their potential.

The Ignatius Learning Centre opened in Term 1 of 2021, initially enrolling approximately 20 young men, aged , offering the Senior Secondary Certificates (VCE-VM and VPC) as the curriculum, In 2024, The Ignatius Learning Centre with have 35 young men enrolled.

About the role

Reporting directly to the Head of Engagement, and within the Engagement Team.

Join the expanding Engagement Team, that provides a crucial role in engaging students and their families in school. The team is multidisciplinary, dynamic and works in partnership with the teaching team to ensure the school is engaging and meeting the complex learning and classroom behavioural needs of its students.

The students of the ILC have long histories of disengagement, involvement with police, trauma and complex behaviours, requiring a whole-school approach to wellbeing and engagement.

The Engagement Team leads the student, family and community engagement. Not limited to students, their families, legal teams, childrens courts, external TAFE providers, health services and when applicable; care teams, youth justice and child protection.

The role is dynamic and manages a shared caseload of 7-10 students, with a teacher, with the goal of engaging students into school.

This role is multidimensional involving but not limited to; assertive outreach, relationship building with students and community, collaboration and team planning with the teaching team, implementing interventions; such as 1:1 support in class and on the floor, leading student support group meetings, attending court and transition planning for further study / vocations post school.

This position will be primarily based in Richmond and travel will be required.

Competitive remuneration, plus salary packaging benefit is offered together with ongoing professional and career development.

Qualifications/ industry experience is preferred in the following areas:

• Bachelors in social work
• Case planning

Candidate requirements

To be successful in the role you will have:

• A knowledge and understanding of current issues faced by young people in youth detention and their families.
• Relevant qualifications and professional experience.
• Experience engaging working with students /clients with diverse and complex needs
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience in working with a diverse range of stakeholders within the justice system (courts, DHHS, DJCS, etc).
• Demonstrated experience in case management

Desired attributes:

• Experienced in outreach working with students with diverse and complex needs and of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues to improve the quality of programs and enhance student outcomes.
  

What Jesuit Social Services can offer you:

• An organisation that lives its values, through its day to day work
• A welcoming and supportive relational environment
• A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
• Ongoing training and development related to your role
• Employee assistance program
• A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
• Generous leave
  

About you

• Demonstrated understanding of young people involved with youth justice, histories of school disengagement and trauma.
• Demonstrated ability and experience, working with marginalized, complex, young people, their families and communities to achieve positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic and multidisciplinary Engagement Team and teachers within a School context.
• Demonstrated experience in working in complex, high pressure demand driven environment.
• The Ignatius Learning Centre is guided by an evidence based culturally responsive pedagogy. Provide an example from your experience that demonstrates your understanding and implementation of culturally responsive practice.
• Ability to work with young people and their key stakeholders, not limited to; parents/carers, care teams, Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS), Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).
• Understanding of and sympathy for the mission and ethos of Jesuit Social Services, and a demonstrated capacity to provide leadership in this dimension of the role.

How to apply

• Upload your resume and cover letter incorporating your responses to the Key Selection Criteria from the Position Description.
• For further information please contact Garcia Golden, Deputy Principal on

Applications close at 5.00pm on 19th of April 2024.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.

Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.