Role
Operating as a member of the School Well-being team, this role will work with School Leadership and requires the ability to adapt to a range of situations. Flexibility and the capacity to prioritise according to need is key to managing this role in a busy school environment. This position offers you the opportunity to work with students in supporting them through challenging circumstances, communicating between staff and students and work with parents when required. Making referrals to external service providers and support networks is vital in supporting students appropriately. Completion of risk assessments, safety plans and support plans for students will be expected in line with industry best practice. It is expected that the successful applicant will be able to work within a team environment and manage their workload independently.
A key focus of this role is working as part of our school team in achieving improvements in the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of our students.
This role has the potential for ongoing and there is flexibility to negotiate the time fraction with the successful applicant.
Responsibilities
In consultation with School Leadership, contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of student support processes, policies and structures across the school.
Provide professional student support services therapist, psychological and counselling services.
Establish and maintain effective networks with external service providers, and assist staff, students and families to access those services
Develop and implement processes which ensure effective communication of relevant information to staff and families.
Maintain accurate, detailed records on relevant students, and contribute appropriate information to the student learning database.
Provide professional support as part of the Program for Students with Disability.
Provide advice and professional development for staff.
Other duties as directed by the Principal.
Who May Apply
A minimum qualification of an accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree is required for this role.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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.
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
DE Values
The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at
Other Information
1. All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
2. Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
3. A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
4. Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at
Location Profile
Melton Specialist School has seen a significant increase in enrolment demand, which has seen many changes to our staffing profile over the last 2 years. We will continue to grow and anticipate further enrolment growth.
The current enrolment of 378 students, is expected to exceed 400 during 2023. 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.
We are offering staff a 3% retention payment to all staff in 2023 and 2024.
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.
Our vision
Staff at Melton Specialist School believe in creating a nurturing environment where students are empowered to achieve their full potential, be that in the academic curriculum, in their social interactions or in the area of independent living skills. Increasing student independence and creating an engaging learning environment is foremost when staff plan and implement individual programs.
Our values
Melton Specialist School values the safety, health and wellbeing of its students, staff and community. The cornerstone of education for the students who attend our school relies on the partnerships that are formed between families, the school and agencies outside of the school. At this school, we respect student diversity and we acknowledge that all students can learn in their respective manner. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that student learning is engaging and relevant to the individual. Students in the school demonstrate their responsibility by trying their best in their academic, social and personal interactions.
We are a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support School.
School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is an evidence-based framework for preventing and responding to student behaviour. It aims to create a positive school climate, a culture of student competence and an open, responsive management system for all school community members. It includes analysis of data in professional learning teams, implementation of evidence based practices and organisational systems for establishing safe, purposeful and inclusive school and classroom learning environments while providing the individual behaviour and learning supports needed to achieve academic and social success for all students.
Our school purpose is supported by the following school values that are central to the life of the school.
Be Responsible • Be Respectful • Be Safe