Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative

Primary Welfare Officer transition

The Primary Welfare Officer (PWO) initiative transitioned to Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) from 2023 to 2026, in line with the MHiPS implementation schedule.

In the year schools transitioned, their PWO funding was replaced by MHiPS funding.

Why the PWO initiative was transitioned to MHiPS

The objectives of the former PWO initiative and MHiPS are very similar, to provide schools with additional support for student wellbeing.

MHiPS provides staff with extensive evidence-based training and professional development from the University of Melbourne and dedicated support from the department’s regional mental health branches. MHWLs build relationships with regional staff, community services and other health professionals to engage with appropriate mental health and wellbeing support. Unlike PWOs, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders (MHWLs) are employed as registered teachers.

Managing the recruitment of a former PWO

In the transition to MHiPS, PWO employees are required to be managed in accordance with existing Recruitment in Schools policy and workforce planning processes.

Schools may choose to use other sources of funding to continue the employment of their PWO, including the Schools Mental Health Fund or equity funding. If using the Schools Mental Health Fund, the employee must meet the requirements of the Schools mental health skills checklist (DOCX) (staff login required), which outlines the range of professional backgrounds in scope.

Schools can also refer to their Student Resource Package to identify what other funding sources are available.

Offering the MHWL role to a PWO

PWOs can only be offered the MHWL role if:

• they have a suitable teaching qualification and hold provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching, or
• the cessation of the PWO role will cause a potential excess situation at the school and the principal is satisfied that the PWO has the appropriate skills and experience to take on the responsibilities of the MHWL role as outlined in the position description.

Please note it is highly recommended that the MHWL role be filled by a qualified teacher given the nature and duties of the role.

Principals who wish to offer a PWO the MHWL role, as a matter of good practice, should provide the ongoing employee with a letter setting out the details of the transfer in accordance with advice provided in the recruitment in schools guide. Employees should be provided with 10 days to accept or reject that offer.

Should a MHWL role be offered to an education support class employee who was a former PWO, under the conditions outlined in this section, and that employee leaves the school, the school must readvertise the MHWL position to recruit a VIT registered teacher.

Excess

If the transition between the PWO and MWHL initiatives causes a potential excess staff situation at a school, the school must follow the appropriate processes under the Excess Procedures – Teaching Service policy.