Overview
Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 3
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: 1498419
Selection Criteria
SC1 - Demonstrated experience supporting student wellbeing initiatives that promote positive social skills, emotional regulation, and inclusive participation in school activities.
SC2 - Proven ability to model and scaffold best practice behaviour support and student engagement strategies within the school/classroom setting
SC3 - Experience providing respectful and structured support for personal care and daily routines, with a focus on maintaining dignity and developing students¿ independence, personal, and social capabilities.
SC4 - Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively within a team, build rapport with students and staff, and support the delivery of wellbeing programs.
SC5 - Demonstrated flexibility and initiative in supporting students across various school settings, including group activities, transitions, unstructured times, and alternative learning spaces.
SC6 - Demonstrated experience working in a special education setting or working with students with additional needs
Role
The Wellbeing Assistant supports the implementation of student wellbeing initiatives across the school. Working closely with the wellbeing team, the role focuses on promoting positive student engagement, assisting with regulation and re-engagement strategies, and contributing to the delivery of wellbeing programs and supports.
This non-classroom-based role is centred on providing direct, student-focused support in a variety of school environments. The Wellbeing Assistant helps to ensure students feel safe, supported, and connected, contributing to a positive and inclusive school culture.
Key Elements of the Role
- Supporting the delivery of school-wide and targeted wellbeing initiatives.
- Assisting students with regulation, re-engagement, and participation across various school settings.
- Providing direct support for students with emotional, behavioural, or social needs.
- Collaborating with the wellbeing team on planning and implementation of support strategies.
- Supporting personal care and routine-based needs for students, where required.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Support Student Wellbeing Initiatives
- Assist in the planning and delivery of wellbeing programs and activities (e.g., social skills groups, mindfulness, peer connection activities).
- Help prepare materials and set up environments to support wellbeing events or sessions.
- Promote inclusive participation in wellbeing-focused activities across the school.
Support Student Regulation and Engagement
- Assist students with emotional regulation strategies, including access to sensory spaces or break areas as directed.
- Provide calm and predictable support to students during times of dysregulation, distress, or heightened emotion.
- Supervise and support students during unstructured times such as play, transitions, arrival and dismissal.
Assist with Re-engagement and Inclusion Strategies
- Support students on re-entry to school or class following absence, illness, or behavioural incidents.
- Provide supervision and engagement in alternative spaces when students require time away from the classroom.
- Collaborate with the wellbeing team to monitor student wellbeing needs and adapt supports accordingly.
Support Personal Care and Daily Routines
- Provide respectful and safe support for personal care needs, including toileting, hygiene, and nutrition, as outlined in individual care plans.
- Assist students with maintaining daily routines that support their wellbeing and independence.
Promote a Positive and Inclusive Environment
- Support positive peer relationships and inclusive social interactions.
- Encourage respectful behaviour and reinforce expectations in a supportive and trauma-informed manner.
- Build rapport with students to foster a sense of belonging, safety, and trust.
Who May Apply
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
Diversity and Inclusion
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.
Child Safe Standards
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
DE Values
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
Other Information
- All staff employed by the department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
- Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
- A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
- Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
Please ensure that your application includes:
- A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
- A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
- Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.
Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
Conditions of Employment
This vacancy is specifically linked to Student Support Funding and is ongoing. If the funding reduces or ceases during the first seven years of employment, employment may cease subject to the provision of at least 12 weeks’ notice.
Location Profile
Wayi School is a Government P-12 specialist school in Craigieburn providing educational programs for students with disability and high needs who have mild to profound intellectual disability.
Wayi School is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school, and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.
'Wayi' is a Woi-wurrung word of the Wurundjeri people meaning `us¿ - which represents the vision for our school perfectly.
We plan to work together, in partnership, supporting our students as a team. We know that our students will benefit from the efforts, expertise, and commitment from all of 'US' - including family, educators, and community.
The Wayi School vision is to empower and inspire every member of our learning community. We are committed to creating innovative learning environments that nurture and develop all students through an ability and strength-based approach.
Through collaborative partnerships we provide learning that is individualised and holistic to ensure our students become valued and contributing members of their community.
We believe in empowering our staff to work autonomously in a collaborative and supportive team environment that encourages personal growth and development.
Wayi School¿s core values include Voice, Choice and Independence.
Voice ¿ We believe communication underpins all areas of learning and life, and everybody has the capacity and the right to communicate.
Choice ¿ We promote agency, enabling everyone to make choices and decisions that influence events and their world.
Independence ¿ We strive to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of the future.
Teaching & Learning
Wayi School is committed to developing learner independence, by purposefully using the students¿ skills and interests to promote the creation of new skills. We identify the abilities that are unique to individual students and employ a team approach that focuses on the development of skills and practices that promote lifelong learning, independence, communication and agency. Teachers, Allied Health and Education Support staff work collaboratively with the students and their parents/carers to develop Individual Education Program (IEP) goals for each student, that are meaningful and relevant for that student. ICT is used extensively to provide rich educational experiences and enhance independence.
Student Wellbeing
Wayi School has developed a range of strategies to promote engagement, an inclusive and safe environment, positive behaviour, and respectful relationships for all students in our school. We recognise the importance of student friendships and peer support in helping children and students feel safe and less isolated. We acknowledge that some students may need extra social, emotional or educational support at school, and that the needs of students will change over time as they grow and learn. SW-PBS and Trauma Informed Practice are foundations initiatives at Wayi School.
Professional Development
Successful applicants may be required to work throughout the school, from Foundation to Senior Secondary; however, the professional preferences, experience, skills and aspirations of individual teachers will be considered and attempted to meet.