Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 4
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Western suburbs
Reference: 1486750
Melton Specialist School has seen a significant increase in enrolment demand, which has seen many changes to our staffing profile over the last 3 years. We have a current enrolment of 410 students and anticipate that will exceed 410 during 2025. We have a real focus on staff wellbeing and ensuring our staff have the time away from class to focus on their administrative duties. We have flexible working arrangements and provide onsite training for all staff for TEACCH and Behaviour Support.
In 2021 we introduced the Wellbeing Dog Program into the school. Bunji, our school dog, works with staff and students and his primary objective is to have fun at school! Bunji does everything from Bus Duty in the morning to School Tours to walking excursions. His introduction to our School Community has had an extremely positive impact.
Melton Specialist School provides educational programs for students with disabilities at both primary and secondary levels in a positive, caring and safe environment. It is a dual mode setting, catering for students with mild through to severe intellectual disabilities and other associated disabilities like Autism. Students are transported to our school via bus or family transport. The school is closely located to other schools as well as a variety of community retail spaces, leisure and recreational facilities. Our school environment is comprised of traditional classrooms, specialist and vocational training classrooms, therapy spaces and indoor sensory areas. Our grounds feature natural gardens, purpose built outdoor sensory areas, playground equipment, sports facilities and covered walkways. Teachers and Educational Support staff make extensive use of a wide variety of resources to ensure all students have an educational journey that is positive and successful. Our school¿s philosophy and programs are based upon the belief that children learn best in a structured environment that is safe, challenging and supportive with a school-wide focus on Positive Behaviour Support. Across the school we implement Structured TEACCHing and provide onsite training for staff to implement this approach to teaching and learning. We provide programs in Arts, Literacy, Physical Education, Numeracy, Information Technology, Science and Life Skills. Senior students also have the option of accessing a VCAL or ASDAN program which aim to develop work related skills, travel education and personal development skills. Student Support Group meetings involving staff, parents, carers and our Allied Health team are held four times a year to formulate individual learning goals based on each student¿s ability, strengths and needs and celebrate achievements towards these goals
Stage two of a four-stage rebuilding project has recently been completed and we have some amazing new teaching spaces including our very own Mini Woolies. Stage one was completed in 2019. Through our Improvement plans, the school aims to develop a change in the culture of the school where roles are clarified, structures and processes are developed and embedded, and an expectation on consistent practice and developing expertise is expected in all staff.
SC1. Demonstrated knowledge, ability and experience in coordinating the provision of Occupational Therapy Services, in the area of Special Education
SC2.Expert knowledge and experience in providing range of interventions aiming at increasing student¿s participation in school programs, including prescription of assistive technology, mobility aids and sensory programs
SC3. Demonstrated experience in providing mentoring and supervision to junior occupational therapists
SC4 High level of communication and interpersonal skills when dealing with students, staff, parents and other members of the community and an ability to develop collaborative working relationships and participate effectively in a team environment
SC5. Highly developed organisational skills with a demonstrated ability to work independently, utilise effective time management strategies, establish priorities and meet deadlines
The Occupational Therapist will ensure that Occupational Therapy services are delivered using a collaborative model within the educational framework.
The Occupational Therapist will work in partnership with the Leadership Team and under the management of the Allied Health Leader to support the school community to realise the strategic vision for therapy provision across the whole school.
Key Responsibilities of the Occupational Therapist include:
In addition to the above, the successful applicant will also:
Comprehensively assess students¿ needs from developmental, neurological and sensory perspectives.
Design and implement goal focused occupational therapy programs for students in classrooms and group settings.
Recommend appropriate adaptive equipment according to students needs and liaise with external agencies as appropriate.
Liaise with and educate parents, care givers and staff on the safe and appropriate use of prescribed adaptive equipment.
Liaise with external health professionals involved with the care of each student as necessary.
Report to parents and care givers on students¿ progress in line with the schools reporting procedures.
Write appropriate reports for the Educational Needs Questionnaire as required.
Work as part of an interdisciplinary team with the physiotherapists, speech pathologists, music therapist, student wellbeing team and classroom teachers on improving students¿ engagement and outcomes.
Prescribe and purchase equipment for the school and ensure that the school equipment is well maintained and safe for use.
Conduct oneself in line with all school and departmental policies and procedures, as well as those outlined by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
Approved qualifications in Occupational Therapy that are acceptable for membership to AHPRA, Including a University degree.
The successful applicant must hold a current employee working with children¿s check.
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