Work Type: Ongoing - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 4
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: 1510973
Niddrie Autistic School is a government school in South West Victoria Region and has at its foundation a reputation for providing an exemplary education for students with autism from Prep to Year 3. There is a commitment to excellence, which is communicated, to staff, students and families. Members of staff have high expectations and a belief that every child can learn and achieve. The school has profound expertise in developing and implementing Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) and in assessing and monitoring the learning of students to ensure the goals in IEPs are achieved.
Niddrie Autistic School is situated 16 kms north of the Central Business District (CBD) in the suburb of Niddrie. The school enroll students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The philosophy of the school is to provide an intensive program for students with autism to build their social communication and sense of self and others which will guide their inclusion and participation through their early years of schooling and beyond.
To support the needs of autistic children and their families, the school provides initial support for each student as he/she moves to their designated neighbourhood mainstream or special school setting.
In 2026 the enrolment will 158 students. Eighty-two percent of these enrolments were boys and 18% of students come from a Language other than English background. The majority of students travel from a wide geographical area and travel to Niddrie by a contract bus service.
In 2021 a DET funded capital works project was completed, the school now has a new state-of- the art building comprising 12 new classrooms and collaborative learning areas. These works were part of the Stage 1 development of a bigger Master Plan for the redevelopment of the whole site.
As Niddrie Autistic School provides an educational program for autistic students from Prep to year 3, ensuring these students make a successful transition to further educational contexts from Year 4 is a vital focus not only of their program while at Niddrie Autistic School but also in the following years.
Selection Criteria
SC1. Knowledge of the use and application of a wide range of interventions to assist children with autism, and physical and sensory impairments.
SC2. Recognise the importance of working positively and effectively with a multi-disciplinary team in a trans-disciplinary way.
SC3. Ability to communicate effectively with families, care givers, staff and other professionals on a service delivery and client-based issues.
SC4. An ability to resource and in-service staff on relevant Occupational Therapy theory and intervention related to productivity, self care and leisure such that intervention can be facilitated in every class.
SC5. An understanding and commitment to using adaptive equipment to support participation and productivity within everyday environments.
Conduct assessment of students in areas such as regulation, fine motor, self care, social interactions.
Design and implement programs in collaboration with teachers, parents / carers, according to students' individual needs and based on developmental level and age appropriateness.
Document, record, and accurately report on student involvement, evaluate progress and make recommendations for future programming.
Provide information about special access equipment and physical barriers withing the school environment as required by staff, parents / carers.
Attend meetings eg, staff, therapy and case conferences.
Manage and maintain Occupational Therapy resources
Responsibilities
1. Effective assessment monitoring and reporting of students' individual needs
2. Implement therapeutic programs through individual, small group or whole class settings.
3. Provide support to students' families or carers through direct and indirect means eg. meetings and developing / providing resources.
4. Effective organisation management and promotion of teamwork
5. Effective communication skills. Evidence of professionally sensitive communication with parents / carers and students
1. Effective assessment monitoring and reporting of students' individual needs
2. Implement therapeutic programs through individual, small group or whole class settings.
3. Provide support to students' families or carers through direct and indirect means eg. meetings and developing / providing resources.
4. Effective organisation management and promotion of teamwork
5. Effective communication skills. Evidence of professionally sensitive communication with parents / carers and students
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
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
A written response to each of the Selection Criteria is mandatory.
Up to three referees who are able to comment on your application in relation to the Selection Criteria.
Referees other than those nominated may be contacted by the Panel.