LOOKOUT Advisor (Psychologist) Fixed Term/Full Time until 15 May 2026 About the Department The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society. About the Group Schools and Regional Services (SRS) offers central, regional, and local expertise to enhance learning and development outcomes, supported by a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. It comprises 17 areas within 4 regions, backed by 5 central office divisions, all collaborating to deliver improved outcomes for early childhood services, schools, communities, and learners, in line with Education State commitments. SRS regions serve as a bridge between the central office, schools, and service providers, ensuring smooth transitions for learners and achieving the department's ambitious targets. Each region includes divisions specialising in school performance, student wellbeing and early childhood support, working with area-based teams to tailor local interventions and practices. The 17 areas provide crucial insights into local trends and issues, facilitating effective policy and program development and driving child and learner outcomes across all services and programs. The Student Wellbeing and Engagement Division is responsible for promoting and implementing regional and statewide consistency in areas relating to school services, student health, wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement supports. The LOOKOUT Centres were established to address the educational disadvantage of children and young people in out-of-home care (OoHC) and raise the profile of the Out-of-Home Care Education Commitment. LOOKOUT improves outcomes for children and young people in OoHC through capability building of school staff and leadership teams to understand children's needs and strategies to engage them and their carers to best support their education, strengthening relationships between the service systems (DE, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, community service organisations and Aboriginal community controlled organisations) and improving monitoring and reporting of children in care, ensuring that they can be tracked and identified within the system and prioritised for support. About the Role LOOKOUT Psychologists are based in each LOOKOUT Centre to work within the multi-disciplinary team across early childhood and school contexts. As a LOOKOUT Psychologist you will work in alignment with the LOOKOUT psychologist Practice Guide to: Ensure that evidence-based strategies are being employed to meet the psychological needs of children and young people in OoHC, within a focus on the education context. Build the capabilities of schools (including Learning Mentors and Designated Teachers), early childhood education, area teams and care services, case managers, care managers and carers across their region to consider and better understand the relationship between trauma, mental health and wellbeing on the engagement and educational success of children and young people in OoHC. * Contribute to the development of policy and practice, and leading related projects within the region to improve education outcomes for children and young people in OoHC Qualifications and Accreditations Graduate or Post-graduate qualification in psychology AND registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check. Further Information For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au. For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Louise Natoli, LOOKOUT Team Leader, Schools via ph: 0427 264 471 or email louise.natoli@education.vic.gov.au, or Laura Kirkland, Acting Executive Principal via ph: 0431 993 764 or email laura.kirkland@education.vic.gov.au Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements. How to applyClick Apply Now to submit your CV and a cover letter outlining the skills, capabilities and experiences that you would bring to this role. Applications close: 28 November 2025
