Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 4
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Western suburbs
Reference: 1481394
SC1: An understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy in a school for students with disabilities and additional learning needs, along with mental health and physical health needs.
SC2: Developed interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills including the ability to work as a member of transdisciplinary teams and to be supportive of wider school initiatives.
SC3: Ability to maintain appropriate documentation including record keeping, therapy goals and plans, and conducting student assessments.
SC4: Experience delivering professional development and/or upskilling staff in inclusive practices.
SC5: Sound understanding of privacy and ethical obligations in handling student health information.
Springside West Secondary College is seeking a skilled and passionate Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our multidisciplinary wellbeing and inclusion team. The successful applicant will work across the school environment to enhance the participation, engagement, and learning outcomes of students, particularly those with disability or additional needs.
The OT will play a critical part in the implementation of Disability Inclusion reform, with a strong focus on supporting the Disability Inclusion Profile (DIP) process by providing specialised assessments and consultation as a discipline-specific overlay. The OT will work collaboratively with students, staff, families, and external stakeholders to inform planning, intervention, and inclusive classroom practices.
The OT will work closely with members of principal class and will work as a member of the wellbeing and inclusion teams. This position will:
¿ Contribute to the school's existing wellbeing and inclusion teams
¿ Conduct assessment of students in areas such as regulation, fine/gross motor, self-care and social interactions, along with completing Vineland assessments
¿ Design and implement programs in collaboration with teachers/parents/carers according to student's 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
¿ Attend and/or facilitate meetings, e.g. staff professional learning, SSGs, Disability Inclusion Profile, and case conferences
¿ Manage and maintain Occupational Therapy resources
¿ Maintain accurate case notes and adhere to Department of Education privacy and reporting protocols
Key Responsibilities:
¿ Student Support & Assessment
¿ Conduct individual assessments (including Vineland) and functional observations in classroom and school settings.
¿ Develop student-centred goals and strategies to support participation, regulation, fine/gross motor skills, and sensory needs.
¿ Deliver brief, targeted interventions with students, including direct 1:1 support and goal setting where appropriate.
¿ Specialist input into Disability Inclusion Profiles.
¿ Act as a discipline-specific overlay within the DIP process by contributing occupational therapy insights to inform strength-based, holistic profiles.
¿ Attend DIP meetings where appropriate.
¿ Provide reports, documentation, and professional input aligned with DET's DIP protocols and timelines.
¿ Consultation & Capacity Building.
¿ Collaborate with teaching staff, education support staff, and wellbeing professionals to support inclusive practice and implementation of OT-informed strategies.
¿ Offer professional learning, coaching, and modelling to build staff capability around sensory processing, environmental modifications, functional classroom strategies, and student engagement.
¿ Contribute to School Support Plans (BSPs, Escalation Plans) and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with OT-informed goals and strategies.
¿ Liaison & Collaboration.
¿ Engage with families/carers to ensure goals and supports are consistent across home and school environments.
¿ Collaborate with other allied health professionals, visiting teachers, NDIS providers, and DET support services where relevant.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
Essential Requirements:
¿ Bachelor or postgraduate qualification in Occupational Therapy.
¿ Current AHPRA registration.
¿ Current Working With Children Check (Employee).
¿ Demonstrated counselling experience within a youth, education or wellbeing context.
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.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
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
Springside West Secondary College was established in 2018, in the growth corridor of the north-western suburbs, in Fraser Rise. Our school is made up of 1600 students and over 190 staff.
As a college we embrace diversity and inclusion, and we are committed to students building their skills to achieve a range of pathways. We are a community of learners seeking to challenge each other to grow and embrace learning.
Springside West Secondary College is dedicated to fostering an inclusive high achieving culture and encompassing achievement in academic subjects, the arts, sport, and the pursuit of technological vocations. We strive at all times to know our students and direct their learning in accordance with our school values of Growth, Challenge, and Community. Growth: We are motivated learners, always striving for personal development and academic excellence; Challenge: We take responsibility for our learning and seize new opportunities with determination and optimism; Community: We treat all members of our community with respect and are responsible for our actions and environment.