The Lawler Labor Government is strengthening student wellbeing support in schools and increasing our home grown School Counsellor workforce, through creating more positions and a new scholarship program.
To ensure every student, in every school has access to a support network, a new position has been created known as Student Wellbeing Officers (SWO).
Student Wellbeing Officers are professionals with varied backgrounds from formal qualifications in fields such as youth work to those with a high level of experience working with children.
The $2.8 million program will begin during Term 3 2024, with nine new Student Wellbeing Officers commencing in Territory Schools and another five will begin in Term 1 2025, with recruitment recently closing.
The 14 new SWO's are an additional resource to School Counsellors and will be based in schools to provide support to our young people, directly interacting with students and parents delivering professional support, resources and advice.
These new positions will be phased into schools with:
· Phase 1 to start Semester 2, 2024 Darwin Middle; Darwin High, Nightcliff Middle, Casuarina Senior College, Sanderson Middle, Tennant Creek High, Taminmin College;
· Phase 2 to start Semester 1, 2025 Dripstone Middle, Nhulunbuy High, Shepherdson College, Palmerston College, Katherine High School, Centralian Middle and Centralian Senior College.
Concurrently, the Lawler Labor Government is also investing $60,000 this year to launch a brand new scholarship program with the aim of increasing our home grown School Counsellor workforce and employment in Territory schools.
Every year, four final year students studying either Psychology or Social Work at Charles Darwin University will receive $15,000 and permanent employment in our schools under Territory Labor's new Inclusive Education Scholarship program.
This new program will increase the number of home grown School Counsellors in our schools, providing crucial support for young people to grow and achieve their full potential.
It will also entice more students to pursue a career in a field which is currently in a nationwide shortage, while ensuring we have the right people in the right place at the right time to support Territory students.
