Summary
Empathetic and highly qualified wellbeing professional with postgraduate training in counselling, education, and vocational development. I bring extensive experience in behaviour support, trauma-informed counselling, and collaborative case management to help children and young people thrive within complex educational systems. I am deeply committed to working within the Department of Education Victoria’s Area-based regional operating model and multidisciplinary Student Support Services teams to address barriers affecting student access, participation, and progress. My approach aligns closely with Victorian government priorities, including the Victorian Student Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2024 and the Safe and Supported Schools Framework, to promote inclusive, place-based, and integrated wellbeing initiatives.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
Bespoke Behaviour PL
10.2023 - Current
- Design and implement trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming Behaviour Support Plans for children and adolescents.
- Conduct functional behaviour assessments and develop tailored strategies to support school success and wellbeing.
- Collaborate with school teams and families to develop and embed proactive regulation and relationship-based support.
- Deliver professional coaching and practical tools for educators and support staff.
- Lead multi-agency coordination for high-risk students and ensure safety planning is in place where needed.
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner
Bespoke Behaviour PL
10.2023 - Current
- Design and implement trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming Behaviour Support Plans for children and adolescents.
- Conduct functional behaviour assessments and develop tailored strategies to support school success and wellbeing.
- Collaborate with school teams and families to develop and embed proactive regulation and relationship-based support.
- Deliver professional coaching and practical tools for educators and support staff.
- Lead multi-agency coordination for high-risk students and ensure safety planning is in place where needed.
Wellbeing Counsellor
McClelland College
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Provided one-on-one and small group counselling to support student wellbeing, mental health, and resilience.
- Delivered targeted wellbeing programs, managed critical incidents, and supported vulnerable students and families.
- Collaborated with school leadership, teaching staff, and allied professionals in the planning and implementation of wellbeing strategies.
- Contributed to whole-school positive behaviour and trauma-informed practice initiatives.
Wellbeing Counsellor
McClelland College
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Provided one-on-one and small group counselling to support student wellbeing, mental health, and resilience.
- Delivered targeted wellbeing programs, managed critical incidents, and supported vulnerable students and families.
- Collaborated with school leadership, teaching staff, and allied professionals in the planning and implementation of wellbeing strategies.
- Contributed to whole-school positive behaviour and trauma-informed practice initiatives.
Trainer and Assessor / Teacher
Chisholm Institute of TAFE
01.2002 - 01.2022
- Delivered secondary-level education (VCE / VCAL) for 15 years, focusing on literacy, wellbeing, and engagement.
- In the final 5 years, taught across the Community Services Department: Diploma of Counselling, Mental Health, Youth Work, and Community Services.
- Developed an inclusive curriculum and provided individual support to students from diverse backgrounds, including those with complex needs.
- Acted as mentor and instructional leader to colleagues in evidence-based and trauma-informed teaching practice.
Trainer and Assessor / Teacher
Chisholm Institute of TAFE
01.2002 - 01.2022
- Delivered secondary-level education (VCE / VCAL) for 15 years, focusing on literacy, wellbeing, and engagement.
- In the final 5 years, taught across the Community Services Department: Diploma of Counselling, Mental Health, Youth Work, and Community Services.
- Developed an inclusive curriculum and provided individual support to students from diverse backgrounds, including those with complex needs.
- Acted as mentor and instructional leader to colleagues in evidence-based and trauma-informed teaching practice.
Education
Bachelor of Psychology and Sociology -
Graduate Certificate in Education - Language, Literacy and Numeracy
Graduate Certificate in Career Development and Education - undefined
Diploma of Vocational Education - undefined
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (Upgrade) - undefined
Diploma of Counselling - undefined
Certificate IV in Mental Health - undefined
Positive Behaviour Course - undefined
Mental Health First Aid & CPR - undefined
07.2025
Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy - undefined
01.2023
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - undefined
01.2021
Skills
- Trauma-informed practice
- Polyvagal theory application
- Behavioural assessment
- Planning
- Safety strategy development
- Social-emotional learning
- Resilience program design
- Neurodiversity-affirming counselling
- Support strategies
- Collaborative case management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Group facilitation
- Professional coaching
- Wellbeing training delivery
- Strong communication
- Documentation
- Advocacy
Professional Development
- Deb Dana – Polyvagal Theory in Practice
- Zones of Regulation – Certified Facilitator
- Restorative Practices in Schools – Marist180
- Blue Knot Foundation – Working with Complex Trauma
- Child-Centred Play Therapy – Foundation Series
- Autism CRC – Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice
Accountabilities
- Manage the delivery and quality of student wellbeing support services.
- Coordinate the management of student support services within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Develop and implement strategies for the delivery of student support services within schools.
- Lead, professionally and operationally, a student support services team.
- Provide professional leadership that supports the work of others and their professional development.
- Develop programs that support schools, teachers, and students that improve learning, particularly with respect to students with additional needs.
- Provide authoritative professional advice to management, school leaders, and team members.
- Advise and direct team members with respect to complex cases.
- Assess needs and implement professional development for team members.
- Liaise with community service organisations, DHHS, hospitals, specialist programs, and other professionals regarding the support needs for students.
Selection Criteria Summary
- Extensive Experience in Wellbeing Support Programs, At McClelland College, I developed a trauma-informed social-emotional learning program addressing student anxiety and behavioural challenges. This program incorporated strategies from the Victorian Government Student Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2024 and the Safe and Supported Schools Framework to improve resilience and attendance by 15%. It aligned with the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic), ensuring a whole-school approach to wellbeing and inclusion., In my role as PBSP at Bespoke Behaviour PL, I designed and implemented individualised behaviour support plans adhering to the Ministerial Order 1359 – Child Safe Standards and Victorian Child Safe Standards. Collaboration with families and schools ensured compliance with mandated child safety frameworks while reducing behavioural incidents and supporting student engagement.
- Capacity to Provide Leadership to Professional Team Members, At Chisholm Institute, I led educators in delivering trauma-informed and inclusive curriculum aligned with Respectful Relationships Education guidelines, promoting staff capability and reflective practice in student wellbeing., Currently, I facilitate multidisciplinary teams within Bespoke Behaviour PL to integrate health, wellbeing, and education services, reflecting the Department’s Area-based regional operating model that supports workforce capability development and localised leadership.
- Strong Communication Skills and the Ability to Influence Others Involved in the Wellbeing of Children and Young People, I have regularly led Student Support Group meetings, successfully engaging school leadership, families, and allied health professionals to develop support plans consistent with the Safe and Supported Schools Framework, ensuring diverse voices contribute to decision-making., I have delivered workshops on trauma-informed approaches and polyvagal theory that enhanced understanding and adoption of wellbeing strategies across regional schools, contributing to the Victorian Student Wellbeing Strategy’s focus on prevention and early intervention.
- Highly Developed Capacity to Assess, Conceptualise and Analyse More Complex Student Wellbeing Issues, I conducted functional behaviour assessments for students with complex diagnoses, integrating multidisciplinary data consistent with Department protocols for multi-tiered systems of support as outlined in the Victorian Student Wellbeing Strategy., I supported critical incident responses in schools by collaborating with Regional Emergency Management teams, ensuring adherence to Department of Education and Training emergency management policies and effective follow-up aligned with child safety standards.
- Demonstrated Commitment to the Victorian Public Sector Values, I embed cultural safety and inclusion in my practice by engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and diverse family backgrounds, in line with the Department’s commitment to respect and human rights under the Victorian Child Safe Standards., I maintain transparency, accountability, and integrity in documentation and decision-making, consistently applying the Ministerial Order 1359 – Child Safe Standards to uphold ethical standards and promote safe learning environments.
Victorian School Wellbeing Policies Referenced
- Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) — mandates student wellbeing and inclusion as part of educational delivery.
- Ministerial Order 1359 – Child Safe Standards — requires schools to implement child safety and wellbeing frameworks.
- Victorian Child Safe Standards (Department of Education and Training guidelines) — guides safe and supportive school environments and cultural safety.
- Respectful Relationships Education (DET Framework) — supports social and emotional wellbeing through an evidence-based curriculum.
- Victorian Government Student Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2024 — sets priorities for whole-school wellbeing approaches, prevention, and early intervention.
- Safe and Supported Schools Framework — underpins inclusive education environments, focusing on mental health, diversity, and anti-bullying measures.
Timeline
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner - Bespoke Behaviour PL
10.2023 - Current
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner - Bespoke Behaviour PL
10.2023 - Current
Wellbeing Counsellor - McClelland College
01.2023 - 01.2025
Wellbeing Counsellor - McClelland College
01.2023 - 01.2025
Trainer and Assessor / Teacher - Chisholm Institute of TAFE
01.2002 - 01.2022
Trainer and Assessor / Teacher - Chisholm Institute of TAFE
01.2002 - 01.2022
- Graduate Certificate in Education, Language, Literacy and Numeracy
RMIT University - Graduate Certificate in Career Development and Education,
- Diploma of Vocational Education,
Chisholm Institute of TAFE - Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (Upgrade),
Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors - Diploma of Counselling,
Chisholm Institute - Certificate IV in Mental Health,
Monash University - Positive Behaviour Course,
- Mental Health First Aid & CPR,
Australian College of Applied Professionals - Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy,
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST),
Monash University - Bachelor of Psychology and Sociology,
Similar Profiles
Emily RichardEmily Richard
Senior Therapist at Behaviour Behaviour Inc.Senior Therapist at Behaviour Behaviour Inc.
CHANSCHERANI CHANSCHERANI null
Assistant Operations (Procurement/Project) Manager at TIVO TECHNOLOGIES PL /VERSATECH SYSTEMS PLAssistant Operations (Procurement/Project) Manager at TIVO TECHNOLOGIES PL /VERSATECH SYSTEMS PL
Angela SohAngela Soh
Marketing & Admin Assistant Manager at MB Solutions Singapore PL/ BASF South East Asia PLMarketing & Admin Assistant Manager at MB Solutions Singapore PL/ BASF South East Asia PL
Kate KeenanKate Keenan
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner at Integrated Support SolutionsPositive Behaviour Support Practitioner at Integrated Support Solutions
Natasha SheppardNatasha Sheppard
Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner at Lifestyle Therapies and Training SolutionsPositive Behaviour Support Practitioner at Lifestyle Therapies and Training Solutions