Occupation: Health and allied health
Reference: 1529629
Selection Criteria
Key Selection Criteria for Speech Pathologist
* Qualifications and Professional Knowledge: Demonstrated qualifications in Speech Pathology with eligibility for membership of Speech Pathology Australia and a sound understanding of speech, language, communication, literacy and social communication development in children and adolescents.
* Assessment, Intervention and Student Support: Demonstrated ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence‐based speech pathology interventions that support students with a diverse range of communication, language, literacy and learning needs, resulting in improved educational and wellbeing outcomes.
* Capacity Building and Inclusive Education: Demonstrated ability to build the capacity of teaching and support staff through consultation, coaching and professional learning, supporting inclusive classroom practices and adjustments that enable all students to access and engage in learning.
Role
The Speech Pathologist works as part of the Inclusion and Learning Support Team to support students' communication, language, social interaction, literacy access, emotional regulation, and participation in the secondary school environment.
The role focuses on improving students' ability to access learning, build relationships, engage in school life, and develop independence across academic, social, and vocational settings. The Speech Pathologist collaborates closely with teachers, education support staff, families and external providers to create inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Responsibilities
Student Support
* Assess and support students with:
o receptive and expressive language difficulties
o social communication challenges
o pragmatic language difficulties
o speech sound difficulties
o literacy and language‐based learning needs
o executive functioning and organisation difficulties
o emotional regulation linked to communication breakdown
o Autism Spectrum Disorder
o ADHD and neurodivergent learning profiles
* Develop individualised goals and intervention plans.
* Deliver individual, small group and classroom‐based intervention.
* Support students to build:
o self‐advocacy skills
o conversation and friendship skills
o problem solving
o emotional language
o perspective taking
o confidence in communication
* Support students during transitions:
o primary to secondary school
o between classes
o into senior pathways and post‐school options
* Observe students within classroom settings to identify barriers to participation and learning.
* Work collaboratively with teachers to support:
o language access within curriculum
o comprehension of instructions
o task breakdown and scaffolding
o vocabulary development
o inferencing and higher‐level language skills
o classroom communication supports
* Assist in adapting classroom materials to support student understanding.
* Recommend strategies to improve engagement, participation and independence.
* Support implementation of inclusive teaching practices across the school.
* Facilitate programmes targeting:
o friendship skills
o conflict resolution
o emotional literacy
o social thinking
o group participation
o self‐regulation through communication
* Support students who experience social isolation, anxiety, school refusal or peer difficulties linked to communication challenges.
* Support restorative conversations and communication breakdowns between peers when appropriate.
* Work collaboratively as part of the Inclusion and Learning Support Team.
* Participate in Student Support Group (SSG) meetings and case meetings.
* Liaise with:
o teachers
o education support staff
o leadership
o families
o external therapists and agencies
* Provide practical strategies and coaching to staff to support communication needs within the classroom and school environment.
* Contribute to Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and adjustment planning.
Whole School Contribution
* Help create communication‐friendly classrooms.
* Assist staff to understand communication‐based behaviours.
* Support behaviour prevention strategies through communication supports.
* Improve student engagement and classroom participation.
* Build staff confidence in supporting neurodiverse learners.
* Contribute to school‐wide wellbeing and inclusion initiatives.
* Support transition and pathway planning for vulnerable students.
Qualifications & Requirements
* Tertiary qualification in Speech Pathology/Speech Therapy.
* Eligibility for membership with Speech Pathology Australia.
* Relevant Working With Children Check and police check.
* Experience working with adolescents or within educational settings is desirable.
Diversity and Inclusion
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and to developing a workforce that is representative of the community it serves. The department values diversity in all forms – culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The department provides reasonable adjustments for staff with disability.
Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child‐safe environments. All staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with legal obligations and child‐safe standards.
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 programmes will be provided.
* Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website.
Applications close Monday 15 June #J-18808-Ljbffr