Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Learning Specialist - Range 3
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Loddon Mallee - Swan Hill
Reference: 1497374
Context
The Disability Inclusion reform agenda announced in the 2020/21 State Budget will invest more than $1.5 billion into the Victorian Education system over four years. This investment will support the Department of Education (the Department) to further improve outcomes for schools and students with disability and diverse learning needs. A key initiative under the reform is the Inclusion Outreach Coaching initiative, which supports schools to implement inclusive practices, guided by Inclusion Outreach Coaches (Learning Specialists).
Classification
Teacher Class (Learning Specialist) - Range 3
The successful applicant will be a highly skilled classroom practitioner who continues to spend the majority of their time in schools and classrooms delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialist class employees are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons, and mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.
For more information on the responsibilities of a Learning Specialist Range 3 employee, please visit:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/industrial-agreements/resources
Inclusion Outreach Coaches are based in specialist schools and partner with mainstream schools for defined periods, to provide coaching support to school leadership and staff aimed at strengthening inclusive practices. Coaches partner with the schools to increase their capability to implement preventative, evidence-based strategies that benefit all students. Together, the coach and school use data to identify a goal to work towards and plan and monitor for improvement and sustainability. Coaches collaborate with Departmental regional team members in a team-based response to the identified need. There is an emphasis on Tier 1 preventative, system change practices. Coaches do not work directly with students or provide individual student support. Coaches will undertake training to support schools in data-based decision making and using a Multi-tiered System of Supports. Coaches use a hybrid delivery model, so travel will be required.
Additional Area Responsibilities
Operating in collaboration with the Department's Area teams, this role will also have the following Area responsibilities:
Required
Applicants must:
Desirable
Other Relevant Information
Please ensure that your application includes:
Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
Inclusion Outreach Coaches are based in specialist schools and partner with mainstream schools for defined periods, to provide coaching support to school leadership and staff aimed at strengthening inclusive practices. Coaches partner with the schools to increase their capability to implement preventative, evidenced-based strategies that benefit all students. Together, the coach and school use data to identify a goal to work towards and plan and monitor for improvement and sustainability. Coaches collaborate with Departmental regional team members in a team-based response to the identified need. There is an emphasis on Tier 1 preventative, system change practices. Coaches do not work directly with students or provide individual student support. Coaches will undertake training to support schools in data-based decision making and Multi-tiered Systems of Support. Coaches use a hybrid delivery model, so travel will may be required. To be eligible to apply you must have a current Working with Children Check and drivers licence.
To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:
Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.
Swan Hill Specialist School has a strong positive profile in the local Swan Hill community. Located at the edge of the township in an urban area. We have a hall and commercial kitchen and an indoor swimming pool. Relocatables have replaced several buildings and an additional four relocatable buildings have been the response to enrolment growth. The school site is large and accommodates a community kitchen garden at the rear.
Sheltered play equipment is available for younger students, Middle Years access a newly developed inclusive play area and the school continues its work in upgrading and enhancing the external areas around the school with a $1.6 million dollar cover sports court to begin this year.
Students come from a wide surrounding rural area with some travelling very long distances to access a specialist education. A high percentage of students come by subsided bus transport, including a self-managed bus service.
Students are from a diverse socio-economic background with many families significantly disadvantaged, evidenced by a high Student Family Occupation (SFO) density of 0.82. More boys (71.89%) than girls are enrolled with student¿s disabilities ranging from moderate Intellectual Disability (ID) to mild intellectual disability with a wide range of diagnosis and associated conditions. Many students have a multi disability such as autism or a physical, emotional and behavioural disability. A small percentage of students come from language backgrounds other than English (LBOTE) and there are approximately 20% of students who come from an indigenous background. Recent enrolment growth and the need to provide a range of different program options and supporting staffing arrangements have been an important focus for the school over the last planning period.
There is a very supportive School Council who provide leadership and direction for the school. There are over 50 staff members almost equally divided between specialist teachers and Education Support Staff (ES),many staff members working at the school on a part time basis. Leadership of the school is by the principal, assistant principal and coaches. Leadership have led the work across the school around curriculum and have extended the learning of all staff to build teacher capacity. A multi-disciplinary team of allied health professionals including a social worker and speech pathologist are employed or contracted by the school and a school nurse program is running. The school also has available a SSS Team.
The curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum from A- D levels and Foundation to Year 10. Senior students undertake VCAL and capable students additionally undertake VET competency-based offerings. Class sizes are approximately six to thirteen students in each room with a teacher and education support (ES) member. Specialist programs in art, music and physical education are an integral part of the educational program. Each room has access to kitchen facilities to enable home crafts learning. Classrooms are equipped with modern ICT technology and there are netbooks and iPads as tools for learning.
The school has excellent links with the local community focused on educational opportunities, transition links, recreation and welfare. Programs such as Inclusion Outreach are run through the school and provide quality links to other local schools. The SHSS regularly shares its expertise with neighboring schools. The school values are kindness, trust and belonging