More wellbeing support for Territory students

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 program will begin during Term 3 2024, with 9 new Student Wellbeing Officers commencing in Territory Schools and another 5 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 NT Government is also investing in a brand-new scholarship program with the aim of increasing our home-grown School Counsellor workforce and employment in Territory schools.

Every year, 4 final year students studying either Psychology or Social Work at Charles Darwin University will receive $15,000 and permanent employment in our schools under a new Inclusive Education Scholarship program.

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.

To find out more about the new scholarship visit https://jointheterritory.nt.gov.au/work/work-for-nt-government/Agency_sites/wellbeing-and-inclusion/final-year-higher-education-scholarships