Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Western suburbs
Reference: 1503737
Purpose
Western Autistic School's vision is to provide a dedicated school for students with autism.
At Western Autistic School, we envision a nurturing environment for autistic students in grades Prep to Year 3. Through personalized support and collaborative teaching, we empower each child to thrive socially and academically. Our community celebrates diversity and fosters a commitment to building a strong educational foundation for our students that encourages lifelong learning and achievement.
Our school demonstrates commitment to the following values:
· Diversity
· Respect
· Learning as an ongoing process
· Sharing and growth of knowledge
· Collaboration
School Profile
The Western Autistic School is a large, vibrant and unique school in the western suburbs of Melbourne. We offer an early years program for 300+ young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Prep to Grades 3.
Our school caters to autistic students, and synthesises an evidence base drawn from student-centred, strengths-based approaches and contemporary research from the fields of autism and inclusive education to develop Individual Learning Programs for each student.
Key features of our program include:
-The individual student is the focus of our teaching
-Each student is provided with an Individual Learning Plan, in collaboration between the student, their family and the teaching team
-An emphasis on building foundational skills in social communication and functional areas, alongside academic skills particularly in the areas of literacy and numeracy
-Small classes of approximately eight students with a teaching team of consisting of teachers, education support staff and allied health professionals
-Individualised transition program for children to move on to their local neighbourhood school
-Ongoing outreach supports.
As part of our school's mission, WAS is actively involved in research and training. It has a registered training provider The Autism Teaching Institute (ATI) which provides post graduate qualifications to educators working with autistic students.
Further information about WAS and its branches is available at:
www.westernautisticschool.vic.edu.au
www.autismteachinginstitute.org.au
SC1 Application of Occupational approaches and methods related to service delivery and enablement in Sensory Processing Disorder and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
SC2 Ability to deliver a comprehensive Occupational Therapy service to students and families in a specialist educational environment. Service encompasses assessment, analysis, reporting, individual/group work, education and program delivery advice.
SC3 Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a collaborative professional team and contribute to the achievements of the team through well-developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills.
SC4 Ability to contribute to the design and delivery of professional learning to other relevant professionals, in the area of Occupational Therapy combined with a demonstrated commitment to professional learning and growth for both self and others.
SC5 Demonstrated high level oral and written communication
The Role of Occupational Therapist Practitioner with the School is to provide consultative and direct clinical services within the school environment. It includes the responsibility for the development and planning of individual and group-based services to students, staff and parents. In addition the role will involve liaison with external agencies in the provision of equipment and service delivery. A component of the role may be the supervision of students and the delivery of professional development packages and educational material to teaching staff and parents.
The Role will also encompass a contribution to operational and strategic planning with respect to professional service delivery within the school.
Services are primarily school based relating to the students identified needs and curriculum based objectives. The model of service delivery is integrated into the classroom and collaborative with the family and involved community agencies. The position is located at Western Autistic School - 1 Burnley Street, Laverton
Clinical
Provide assessment and devise appropriate treatment programs for students referred by or discussed in a team or as requested by the Principal/Assistant Principal.
Work in consultation with teaching teams to undertake goal planning for students within the Individual Educational Programs (IEP's) framework.
Design, implement and evaluate treatment and learning programs according to students individual needs in collaboration with teaching staff.
Work collaboratively with teachers, parents and other community agencies where indicated to provide the best possible outcomes for the students at WAS.
Provide written and verbal assessments for engaged agencies, teachers and parents where appropriate. Maintain records and relevant documentation in student files.
Professional
Ensure a high personal standard of work.
Engage in peer review, performance appraisals, supervision and other quality assurance activities.
Assist in the provision of professional development for staff of the school.
Undertake relevant professional development.
Establish links with local paediatric OT's and relevant OT networks.
Responsibility for the maintenance of resources and systems in conjunction with other staff.
Engage in the development of school policies and procedures which relate to OT services, planning and delivery.
Undertake other professional duties as requested by the Principal.
Graduate of an Occupational Therapy Training School recognised by the AAOT and World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy is a minimum academic requirement. All applicants must be registered to practice as an Occupational Therapist with the Allied Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Experience in direct service delivery in an educational environment to students with an ASD is preferred
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 required.
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.
This position is located at Western Autistic School - 1 Burnley Street, Laverton.