School Support Officer

• Ongoing position, available full-time or part-time (0.8/1.0 EFT)
• Based in our Sunshine office, with onsite parking, close to public transport
• Salary of 106-111k + Super + NFP Salary Packaging (full-time equivalent)

Rebuilding Shattered Lives – supporting refugees to recover from torture and other traumatic events

Your Impact
The School Support Officer (SSO) role is part of the Education and Early Years (EEY) team, within our Community and Sector Capacity Building program area at Foundation House.

The CSCB Program is an innovative program designed to facilitate and support the development, growth, and empowerment of communities from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds to; recover from pre-arrival trauma, resettle positively, and strengthen these communities across Victoria, helping them thrive. Complementing and strengthening this work, CSCB also leads a program that builds on the capacity of the refugee and humanitarian service sector, whilst enabling mainstream health, mental health and wellbeing and education sectors to better understand the refugee and asylum seeker experience. 

As a School Support Officer, you will support the program objectives of improving the wellbeing and educational outcomes for children, young people, and families from refugee backgrounds, by building the capacity of school staff to work effectively for and with individuals and families of refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.   

The Role
Reporting to the RESP Team Leader, you will collaborate to build the capacity of schools and school staff working with the RESP Program. This program is aimed at supporting schools to identify and implement strategies which have a positive impact on the achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes of students from refugee backgrounds and their families.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing support to participating schools to facilitate increased and sustained inclusion of children, young people, and families from refugee backgrounds.
• Working within the established VFST framework and RESP Facilitator’s Manual to facilitate positive change.
• Facilitating professional learning sessions to those working in schools to improve their knowledge and skills in working with children, young people, and families from refugee backgrounds.
• Developing professional learning resources for the education sector in partnership with stakeholders.
• Developing and maintaining positive informed and productive professional relationships within existing and newly developed networks and partnerships to support the inclusion of children, young people, and families from refugee backgrounds.
• Consulting with schools to provide advice and advocacy for health promoting environments for children, young people, and families.
• Participating in communication strategies within the EEY Program to enhance collaborative work and promote key messages of the Program and of VFST.

This is an ongoing position in our Sunshine office, that is available on a full-time or part-time (0.8 EFT) basis.

What you’ll need to successfully apply
To be successful, you will need to positively respond to the below selection criteria: 

• Qualifications in education, social work, community development, health promotion or another related field.
• Leadership abilities and previous experience supporting practitioners in an education setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively with professionals and other program partners in the education sector.
• Demonstrated high level and complex project management skills.
• Expertise in the development and delivery of high-quality professional learning materials and programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate with complex service delivery issues.

In return 
You’ll be rewarded with:

• An attractive remuneration package of $106-111k plus superannuation and annual leave loading (based on full-time or pro-rata’d to 0.8 EFT).
• Salary packaging benefits of up to $18,550 and novated car leasing options.
• A role with true purpose to make a difference in people’s lives.
• A welcoming, highly diverse and supportive team environment.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.

Foundation House is an inclusive employer
Foundation House is an equal opportunity employer; we foster a work environment that is inclusive and diverse. We are values driven and are committed to improving the life outcomes of refugees and asylum seekers.

Foundation House is a state-wide agency offering services throughout Victoria. We currently have approximately 250 staff across our five offices in Brunswick, Dallas, Dandenong, Ringwood and Sunshine, and we also provide services in partnership with other agencies in regional and rural Victoria.

Foundation House is a Child Safe organisation committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We actively play a part in combating family violence, as reflected in our organisational policies, protocols and staff development.

How to apply
Upload your CV and a cover letter (maximum one to two pages) outlining why you are suitable for this role and how you meet the selection criteria as described above.

Refer to the position description on our website for detailed information about the role and for more information about our hiring process, please refer to our careers with us page.

For enquiries, please contact Justin Curreen-Harris from our HR Team via jobs@foundationhouse.org.au or by phone on 03 9389 8985.

Hiring is subject to satisfactory Police Check, current Working with Children Check, and proof of the right to work and live in Australia.