Counselling, Social Worker jobs in Geelong VIC

About the Opportunity

Our Youth Workers work collaboratively within their hub to support student wellbeing and educational outcomes. They maintain visibility across their allocated hub and campus, which includes a classroom presence. Youth Workers are responsible for working with students in an individual capacity, including outreach. Youth Workers also maintain and develop relationships with students' families/carers and professional support.

What a day in the role looks like:

• Create and advocate for students’ wellbeing and learning by collaborating within a multidisciplinary hub to co-design and maintain a safe, respectful and engaging learning environment that prioritises both wellbeing for learning and learning for wellbeing, across both face-to-face and virtual contexts.

• Engage professionally with students, colleagues, families, carers and community by providing flexible and holistic evidence-based support both on campus and through the facilitation of outreach. Provide leadership by facilitating regular formal supervision and reflective practice to identified staff at each campus and engage in all wellbeing leadership opportunities and providing daily operational support to onsite leadership team as required.

• Providing general administration and support by participating in the life of the school including, timetabled duties, camps and excursions, regular supervision, scheduled whole school and campus meetings, the performance review processes, professional learning and a culture of continuous review, improvement of student learning outcomes and achievement of the Hester Hornbrook Strategic Plan (SP) and Annual Implementation Plans (AIP).

• Show a detailed understanding of the current NCCD guidelines to ensure that all staff practices are aligned to providing the required evidence to document the support that is provided to each individual student.

About you

We are looking for someone who can:

• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and maintain a face to face and virtual classroom learning environment which places high expectation on learning for wellbeing and wellbeing for learning. Support and model a learning environment which is safe, respectful and productive for our students.

• Apply an understanding of our HOPE (Healing Orientated Program of Education) to support students in a way that allows them to Engage, Equip, Empower and Extend, while demonstrating a thorough understanding of a range of interventions that promote engagement and inclusivity, build rapport, and develop prosocial behaviours and relationships.

• Provide flexible and holistic evidence-based wellbeing support for students both on campus and via outreach that promotes educational success and social and emotional development

• Explore and make suitable referrals for students whilst working closely with students' care team members and parents/carers/guardians.

• Actively engage and contribute to student support group meetings within Hester Hornbrook and with external agencies.

• Contribute to the development and delivery of curriculum and class projects/activities, including the Health and Wellbeing curriculum.

• Assist in the onboarding process of new students including developing Individual Education Plans and Focus Plans.

• Maintain accurate records on the Sentral SMS.

• Contribute to the planning and participation in extra-curricular activities, events, excursions and overnight camps.

• Support students as they transition within the school or onto employment or further education.

• Ensure all Child Safe, risk management and Hester Hornbrook policy and procedure requirements are adhered to.

• Have a strong understanding of the NCCD guidelines and competencies in documenting and fulling NCCD requirements.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Relevant qualification in Youth Work, Social Work, Community Services or related discipline.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to support young people's wellbeing and educational outcomes.

• Experience working with young people, including those who identify as LGBTQI+ and those from diverse cultural backgrounds, in a trauma-informed setting, who have existing barriers to education.

• An understanding of trauma-informed practice, restorative justice principles and the necessary skills to engage young people with multiple and complex needs.

• Demonstrated capacity to work flexibly, in an outreach capacity and with the ability to manage competing demands in a secondary school setting.

• Understanding of relevant legislation, including Child Safe Standards as they are relevant to a Senior Secondary School setting.

• Able to show a detailed understanding of the current NCCD guidelines to ensure that all staff practices are aligned to providing the required evidence to document the support that is provided to each individual student.

Screening Criteria:

• Proof of Identity Check

• National Police check

• International Police check

• Current Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee) or willing to obtain

• Current Victorian Drivers Licence

• Right to work in Australia

For a copy of the position description or any questions regarding the process, please contact Fiona Zito (Executive Assistant) at fzito@hhacademy.vic.edu.au
Please include the following in your application:

• A cover letter highlighting your experience and relevance of working in a school, supporting young people to engage in learning that led to positive outcomes. Please limit this document to no more than one page. In your cover letter please indicate which campus/es you wish to be considered for.

• A response to the Key Selection Criteria listed above.

• Resume, including contact details of two current or recent professional referees.

• Copies of Qualifications and Working with Children’s Check.

Applications close: Monday 16 November 2026 and must be submitted via our advertisement links and addressed to Sally Lasslett, Executive Principal

Please note: Hester reserves the right to interview and appoint suitable candidates prior to the closing date.

About Hester Hornbrook Academy:

Hester Hornbrook Academy is a multi-campus Special Assistance School providing flexible education for young people aged 15-25. Our programs are driven by students' individual strengths, interests and goals. We offer a range of pathways, including VETiS, Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC), and the VCE Vocational Major (VM).

Our Healing Orientated Program of Education (HOPE) integrates learning, wellbeing and life skills to support students to re-engage with education and achieve meaningful outcomes. Teachers, Youth Workers and Education Support staff work collaboratively to create safe, supportive learning environments and help students overcome barriers, build strengths and pursue their chosen pathways.

Learn more at: www.hhacademy.vic.edu.au.