Student Support Officer

This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 4, 2026

Cannington Community Education Support Centre (ESC) caters for over 120 secondary aged students from Years 7-12. Independence, Achievement, and Respect are our Centre’s core values. Our motto Learning for Life reflects our belief that learning occurs throughout life and that our students require specialised curriculum to adequately prepare them.

We have high expectations of our students and work in partnership with parents and other stakeholders to provide authentic and relevant programs. Programs include the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN), School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) Courses and Endorsed Programs, Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in Agrifood Operations and middle school programs follow the Western Australian Curriculum.

Find out more about our school by visiting canningtonesc.wa.edu.au or Schools Online.

The Role

As part of the Student Services team, the Student Support Officer would assist in coordinating student support programs and work collaboratively across the school community to enhance the learning, engagement and wellbeing outcomes of students. The Student Support Officer should also play a pivotal role in developing referral pathways and working in partnership with external agencies to provide coordinated support for students and their families.

Working collaboratively across the school and wider community, the Student Support Officer will develop supportive links between students, families, the school and appropriate services. This includes establishing and maintaining partnerships with government and non-government agencies, participating in multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences, providing information and advice to staff and families, and supporting the school administration team with crisis management and response where required.

Cannington Community ESC is a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) school, with a strong commitment to trauma-informed and student-centred practice. The successful applicant will ideally possess specialist knowledge and experience in supporting young people with complex needs, including Intellectual Disability (ID), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), physical disability and trauma. Experience supporting students with co-occurring diagnoses, complex behaviours and complex communication needs is highly desirable.

The successful applicant will ideally display the ability to build trusting relationships with students and families, collaborate effectively with school staff and external professionals, and advocate for coordinated supports that promote student wellbeing, engagement, independence and successful transition beyond school.

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Angela Whittington, Principal, on (08) 9351 24***or emailing ***************@education.wa.edu.au.

Agency Referrals: Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at ***************@education.wa.edu.au during the advertising period.

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must:

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Application Instructions

Apply online in two easy steps:

Step 1: Select Apply for Job

Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.

Step 2: Attach your documents

Your application should include:

• A CV of up to two (2) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position; and
• A statement of no more than three (3) pages addressing the selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
  • Demonstrated good oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships.
  • Demonstrated effective planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities within timelines.
  • Demonstrated good research, conceptual and analytical skills, including the ability to identify problems and provide solutions.
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in working with individual or small groups of students experiencing difficulties.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the youth sector, particularly local organisations and services.

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 41***for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS1062168

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 31 August 2026