Location Profile
Mildura Specialist School is located in the remote Sunraysia area in close proximity to the New South Wales and South Australian borders. As the only facility of its type in this large and remote geographical area it is a major resource for students with an intellectual disability. In the north, it caters for a number of students from New South Wales.
The nearest Victorian facilities of a similar type are at Swan Hill, 235 km to the southeast.
Students are taught in small groups, having access to teaching staff, many with special education qualifications, supported by teacher assistants and Allied Health staff who provide consultancy services for programs.
In developing Individual Learning Plans, consideration is given to each student’s needs, strengths and interests. The curriculum is based on the Victorian Curriculum. A multi-sensory program operates for students with severe disabilities. Students in their last three years of school concentrate on a transitional program for post- school life. This may include vocational programs and/or the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning. Students are assessed on their individual goals twice each year.
The school is committed to providing a progressive, stimulating and safe school environment, which takes into account sound management practices, communication between all members of the community.
The school has a strong representation from the Koorie community making up approximately 25% of the overall students enrolled. Mildura Specialist School promotes diversity and inclusive school community.
Selection Criteria
1. Demonstrated ability and/or clinical understanding of working with school aged children with disabilities.
2. Proven ability to build rapport with a wide range of people and work effectively in a inter-disciplinary team and independently to ensurethe best student outcomes.
3. Ability to contribute ideas and demonstrate initiative and flexibility.
4. Ability to show reslience under challenging situations.
5. Ability to manage, prioritise and meet multiple deadlines.
6. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Desirable Criteria
Knowlege, understanding and implementation of various augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.
Role
To work within Mildura Specialist School's service delivery framework in a mostly collaborative role in the classroom setting alongside teachers and education support staff to develop and implement speech therapy programs including language, social skills, literacy and augmentative and alternative communication.
To assess the individual speech/language/communication needs of students across the school and if required, implement the use of alternative augmentation communication (AAC) systems, inluding but not limited to keywork signs, PECS, spech generating devices, communication book and PODD books.
Attend Student Support Group (SSG) meetings as required to develop individual goals in collaboration with teachers and families. Review students' progress and communicate with staff and families to ensure the needs of the student are being met.
Demonstate an ability to communicate and work effectively as an individual and within an interdisciplinary team setting including therapists, teachers and education support staff.
Develop resources for classrooms, class sessions, teachers, students, home environments and other educational establishments that service Mildura Specialist School students.
To attend professional development to keep abreast of new concepts, strategies and communication devices and extend knowlege and skills to ensure best pratice is provided to all students.
Assess and monitor students' feeding and swallowing skills. Develop and implement mealtime profiles within the classroom, and make appropriate referrals for second opinions for complex feeding and swallowing cases.
Use a range of technology to assist students to access/participate within the curriculum (e.g. Speech Generating Devices)
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with school staff, parents and others to develop and implement programs and management strategies for students with moderate to severe communication disorders and dysphagia management concerns.
- Provide assessments of students with communication disorders to support applications for the Program for Students with Disabilities.
- Provide direct Speech Pathology services to groups and individuals.
- Review and evaluate programs.
- Maintain appropriate records and provide written and oral reports as required.
- Provide information, resources, career development activities and support to school personnel through daily activities and via staff meetings.
- Be directly involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of alternative forms of service delivery
- Have a commitment to ongoing professional development and training.
- Identification of students who require AAC.
- Have a knowledge of augmentative and alternative modes of communication such as electronic communication devices, picture exchange communication systems.
Who May Apply
The applicant needs to have a Bachelor or Masters in Speech Pathology. Speech Pathology Australia membership is desirable but not essential.
Experienced candidates and new graduates are encouraged to apply.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Department of Education and Training 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.
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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx
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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx
Conditions of Employment
- 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