Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Education Support - Level 1, Range 2
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Melbourne - Southern suburbs
Reference: 1481734
Dandenong Valley SDS is a specialist school located in Narre Warren Victoria. We cater for students with significant intellectual disability. The school was built in 1990 with an addition of a purpose built BER building in 2012. The school facilities include a PMP room, a Hydrotherapy pool which was refurbished in 2018 as a sensory space. We also have a sensory garden, horticulture centre, bike track, fitness room, engine room and sensory room, generous sized classrooms and stimulating play spaces. Our enrolment criteria are moderate to severe intellectual disability and students must reside within our transport zone.
Students at our school range in age from Foundation to year twelve and we also have an Early Education Program which caters for children from 2.8 -4.8 years. The three year olds attend one day a week and the four year olds come two days a week.
The senior transition program caters for students who are in their last two years of schooling. Its aim is to provide students with a diverse range of age appropriate learning experiences in preparation for post school options and adult life.
Our Vision for Dandenong Valley School is to achieve excellence in learning and teaching and provide the best outcomes for each of its students.
Our school also has a Mission Statement;
Dandenong Valley SDS endeavours to equip students with the capacities to manage themselves and their relations with others, understand their world and act effectively in that world.
Our Values are;
Integrity
Respect
Responsibility
Dandenong valley SDS is a Schoolwide Positive Behaviour community. This Framework is fully embedded across the school and enables us to promote a happy positive learning environment for all. Our school rules are explicitly taught across all areas of the curriculum and the school. The rules are;
Be responsible
Be respectful
Be a learner
Be safe
Our Special Education programs are fully supported by a large therapy team which comprises three speech therapists, two occupational therapists, one physiotherapist and two music therapists. The role of the therapy team is to support the students to enable them to access their educational program. Therapists also work in close cooperation with teachers to ensure individual goals are achieved by all students.
Student Individual learning goals are based on our strategic plan priorities which are;
The need to develop a functional communication system.
The need to develop their independence skills
The need to develop their social competencies.
These areas are the most important for our students and their families. Without these basic skills our students cannot engage in meaningful activities, nor reach their full potential.
Dandenong Valley SDS is committed to child safety. Our school actively promotes the safety and wellbeing of all students, including the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities and vulnerable children. 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.
At Dandenong Valley SDS we provide programs that cater for individual needs, interests and abilities of our students. The school's curriculum is based on The Victorian curriculum (levels A-D). In addition, we offer a range of specialised programs that occur within the school environment or out in the local community.
These include;
Perceptual motor program, swimming (in our purpose built hydrotherapy pool), rideability, sailability, community access, personal safety, interschool sports and an extensive camps program.
SC 1. A proven ability to work with disabled children in a positive and caring way.
SC 2. A demonstrated record of contribution as a cohesive team member committed to making an enthusiastic personal and professional contribution to an harmonious environment.
SC 3. An ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals including members of the community, students, teachers, parents and other professionals.
SC 4. A preparedness to work with students who exhibit challenging behaviours across all areas of the school.
The Teacher assistant position at Dandenong Valley SDS will be one of supporting teachers in the classroom in the delivery of educational programs to the students. Potential staff would be expected to have an understanding and receptive attitude towards working with students with disabilities. Staff should have experience in working effectively in special education settings. Highly developed communication and teamwork skills are essential qualities for working at Dandenong Valley SDS. A receptive attitude towards developing skills in Information Communication Technology is required.
1. Assist students on an individual or group basis in specific learning areas.
2. Provide basic physical and emotional care for students.
3. Assist and support the implementation of instructional programs e.g. swimming, PMP/sport, gardening programs,department music.
4.Supervise student involvement in specialist programs e.g.Horse riding, Sensory room or undertake supervision of students unable to participate in these programs.
5. Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of programs and evaluation of individual student's involvement and achievement.
6. Assist with the supervision of pupils in playgrounds, on excursions, in sporting activities,therapy activities, life skills etc.
7. Assist with the toileting, meals, lifting and administration of medication to students requiring special care.
8. Accompany students to camps.
9. Undertake training, in managing challenging behaviours and if required medical intervention procedures such as rectal vallium and tracheostomy suctioning.
10. Assist with the liaison and communication between parents, teachers,other staff and members of the wider school community.
11. Collect necessary supplies of tissues, gloves and toilet requirements from the storage areas when required.
12. Undertake rostered duties e.g. bus duty and yard duty at lunch/recess times
13. Participate in team meetings.
14. Undertake committee and/or individual responsibility.
15. An ability to drive the school bus/car would be an advantage.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
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
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.