Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 5
Occupation: Health and allied health
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: 1545727
Ascot Vale Heights School is a state government P-12 special school, catering for students with mild intellectual disabilities. We are deeply passionate about preparing young people to reach their full potential and become active and engaged global learners. AVHS provides evidence-based learning that maximises the independence of each person in an innovative and engaging inclusive learning environment. It is located in the Travancore Estate of Ascot Vale.
The school offers excellent programs to promote the learning and independence skills of all students.
Specialist classes include Physical Education, Music, Art, and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen and Garden Program.
Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in their children's education. A number of information sessions and programs to support parents are held throughout the year.
Ascot Vale Heights School is supported by a collaborative Allied Health team comprising Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapists and a Mental Health Practitioner. The Allied Health team works closely with teachers, Education Support staff, students and families to support communication, learning, wellbeing, participation and independence. Allied Health staff work as an integral part of the school community, providing consultation, classroom-based support, professional expertise and targeted interventions that build the capacity of staff to meet the diverse needs of our students.
For further information please visit: https://ascotvalehs.vic.edu.au/
1. Advanced Speech Pathology expertise
Demonstrated extensive experience and advanced knowledge of speech pathology practice, particularly in supporting students with disability and complex communication needs.
2. Allied Health leadership
Demonstrated capacity to lead, coordinate and develop a high-performing Allied Health team, fostering collaboration, professional growth and a strong focus on student outcomes.
3. Strategic leadership
Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively as a member of the school leadership team and to lead initiatives aligned with the school's strategic priorities and improvement agenda.
4. Organisation and prioritisation
Highly developed organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, allocate resources effectively and establish systems that support high-quality Allied Health services.
5. Collaboration and capacity building
Demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships with teachers, Education Support staff, families and external professionals, and to build staff capability through consultation, coaching and professional learning.
6. Evidence-informed practice and continuous improvement
Demonstrated commitment to evidence-informed practice, innovation and continuous improvement, with the ability to use professional expertise and data to strengthen student communication, participation, independence and wellbeing.
Work days: Full time Monday- Friday, 38 hours per week
The Speech Pathologist Range 5 is a senior professional and leadership position within Ascot Vale Heights School. The position is a member of the school's leadership team and is accountable for the effective leadership, coordination and development of Allied Health services across the school.
The position provides high-level professional expertise in speech pathology and leads the development and delivery of services that support student learning, communication, participation, wellbeing and independence. The role works strategically with school leaders, teachers, Education Support staff, students, families and external professionals to ensure Allied Health services are responsive to the needs of the school and aligned with the School Strategic Plan.
The Speech Pathologist Range 5 manages the Allied Health team, including supporting professional practice, establishing priorities, coordinating service delivery, developing staff capability and ensuring effective collaboration across disciplines. The position contributes to the development of whole-school approaches, systems and practices that build the capacity of staff and improve outcomes for students.
The role requires a high level of professional judgement and the ability to analyse complex student, service and organisational issues, identify priorities and develop effective responses. The position may lead significant school initiatives, projects or Department priorities where these involve a substantial level of responsibility, coordination and influence across the school.
The position will have a strong focus on capacity building and sustainable practice, supporting teachers and Education Support staff to embed evidence-informed communication and learning strategies within everyday classroom practice. The role will balance direct professional expertise with consultation, coaching, modelling, leadership and whole-school improvement.
The position does not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic), or its successor. Any supervision of students will be limited to circumstances where it is integral to the position or involves individual or small-group supervision in controlled circumstances, with responsibility for students remaining clearly with a teacher.
As a member of the AVHS leadership team the Speech Pathologist will be responsible for the management of the following:
Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified Speech Pathologists, including those eligible for membership of Speech Pathology Australia, who have a minimum of seven years professional experience.
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
Current Working with Children Check is required