Education Support - Teacher Aide

Government schools – Melbourne Northern Suburbs VIC

The vision of the Concord School community encompasses a commitment to excellence in education for all students. Our school recognises the strong link between home and school. This partnership is encouraged and valued. We aim to be a family friendly school that focuses on the whole child. Student achievement, engagement and wellbeing are the fundamental pursuits of our school. We aspire to engage our students, with the support of the greater community, to develop the requisite skills and strategies to be able to encounter the world with independence, confidence and a positive mindset.

VALUES

Belong: Everyone is accepted, valued, and can be themselves.

Connect: Positive relationships are central to how we learn and grow together.

Grow: Learning and growth are ongoing, celebrated and supported throughout all stages of development.

CONTEXT

Located in Bundoora, a northern suburb of Melbourne, on two campuses, Concord School is a specialist school which caters for students with mild intellectual disability between the ages of 5 and 18 years. Students come from a wide geographical area and a diverse socio-economic background. The Watsonia Campus caters for students aged between 5 and 9 years of age. The Bundoora Campus caters for 9 to 18 year old students. Both campuses are situated in attractive, well maintained grounds with excellent facilities.

The school, with 160 teaching and ancillary staff, has a current enrolment of 417 students. Enrolment is dependent on eligibility criteria as determined by the Department of Education. Concord School supports integration into or from mainstream schools. Support services available to parent/carers and students include access to educational psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and visiting teacher services. Intensive social competency programs also form part of the core curriculum across the school.

Concord School is focused on student achievement and learning. Concord School is recognised as being a leader in the provision of education for students with additional learning needs and, as a specialist school, is highly regarded for its curriculum, learning technology programs and educational leadership.

The students are taught the Victorian Curriculum (F-10) and VPC (Year 11-12) curriculum however the educational pathway of each student is specifically tailored, through the use of Individual Education Plans, to meet their targeted learning needs. The students are supported through extensive resourcing, small class sizes of 8-12, education support staff in each classroom and specialised staff including occupational therapists, speech pathologists and student wellbeing coordinators.

Concord School has a high level of commitment to a curriculum which integrates learning technologies with best practice in teaching and learning in order to enhance educational outcomes for our students. The Discovery Centre, a technology rich learning environment, has facilitated opportunities for our students, our staff and for staff from neighbouring schools. The Physical Education/Performing Arts Centre, Food Technology Centre and Library ensures our students have access to outstanding facilities and resources in these areas.

Staff members place a high priority on communication and work with parent/carers in Student Support Groups to communicate and discuss individual Student Learning Plans. These plans focus on the development of learning outcomes based on the course content of the Victorian Curriculum. Student progress is closely monitored against these learning targets through extensive formal and informal assessment.

Student achievement is celebrated to promote increased self-esteem and self-confidence to assist students to become independent in their work and acknowledge participation at school. At Concord we expect that students will develop respect for others and achieve personal excellence.

The values of the school are promoted through all curriculum areas and emphasised through student responsibility areas such as the Student Representative Council and other student leadership programs. The school looks forward to continuing to meet the challenge of educating our students so that each can continue `To be The Best I Can Be'.

Location Profile

Vision of the Concord School community encompasses a commitment to excellence in education for all students. Our school recognises the strong link between home and school. This partnership is encouraged and valued. We aim to be a family friendly school that focuses on the whole child. Student achievement, engagement and wellbeing are the fundamental pursuits of our school. We aspire to engage our students, with the support of the greater community, to develop the requisite skills and strategies to be able to encounter the world with independence, confidence and a positive mindset.

VALUES

Belong: Everyone is accepted, valued, and can be themselves.

Connect: Positive relationships are central to how we learn and grow together.

Grow: Learning and growth are ongoing, celebrated and supported throughout all stages of development.

CONTEXT

Located in Bundoora, a northern suburb of Melbourne, on two campuses, Concord School is a specialist school which caters for students with mild intellectual disability between the ages of 5 and 18 years. Students come from a wide geographical area and a diverse socio-economic background. The Watsonia Campus caters for students aged between 5 and 9 years of age. The Bundoora Campus caters for 9 to 18 year old students. Both campuses are situated in attractive, well maintained grounds with excellent facilities.

The school, with 160 teaching and ancillary staff, has a current enrolment of 417 students. Enrolment is dependent on eligibility criteria as determined by the Department of Education. Concord School supports integration into or from mainstream schools. Support services available to parent/carers and students include access to educational psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and visiting teacher services. Intensive social competency programs also form part of the core curriculum across the school.

Concord School is focused on student achievement and learning. Concord School is recognised as being a leader in the provision of education for students with additional learning needs and, as a specialist school, is highly regarded for its curriculum, learning technology programs and educational leadership.

The students are taught the Victorian Curriculum (F-10) and VPC (Year 11-12) curriculum however the educational pathway of each student is specifically tailored, through the use of Individual Education Plans, to meet their targeted learning needs. The students are supported through extensive resourcing, small class sizes of 8-12, education support staff in each classroom and specialised staff including occupational therapists, speech pathologists and student wellbeing coordinators.

Concord School has a high level of commitment to a curriculum which integrates learning technologies with best practice in teaching and learning in order to enhance educational outcomes for our students. The Discovery Centre, a technology rich learning environment, has facilitated opportunities for our students, our staff and for staff from neighbouring schools. The Physical Education/Performing Arts Centre, Food Technology Centre and Library ensures our students have access to outstanding facilities and resources in these areas.

Staff members place a high priority on communication and work with parent/carers in Student Support Groups to communicate and discuss individual Student Learning Plans. These plans focus on the development of learning outcomes based on the course content of the Victorian Curriculum. Student progress is closely monitored against these learning targets through extensive formal and informal assessment.

Student achievement is celebrated to promote increased self-esteem and self-confidence to assist students to become independent in their work and acknowledge participation at school. At Concord we expect that students will develop respect for others and achieve personal excellence.

The values of the school are promoted through all curriculum areas and emphasised through student responsibility areas such as the Student Representative Council and other student leadership programs. The school looks forward to continuing to meet the challenge of educating our students so that each can continue `To be The Best I Can Be'.

Selection Criteria

• SC1 Capacity to undertake classroom and student support tasks across a range of functions within a Special Education environment.
• SC2 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents.
• SC3 Capacity to support students with a disability to achieve their IEP goals.
• SC4 Demonstrated understanding of Child Safe practices, when working with children, including those with a disability.
• SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growth.
• SC6 Demonstrated understanding of the School Wide Positive Behaviours framework and capacity to work with students within the structure

Role

An education support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include:

• Provides routine support for teachers including assisting with planning of student routines
• Supports communication between teachers and parents
• Communicates with teachers on routine matters related to students and/or other responsibilities
• Provides basic physical care and wellbeing support for students such as toileting, meals, and lifting
• Communicating with student/s to support comprehension of basic tasks and information
• Addresses immediate behavioural presentations relating to specific students within a classroom setting aligned to school policy and procedure
• Provides basic support and supervision for individuals or groups of up to 4 students within a classroom setting
• Supports teachers in the coordination of educational programs independently or under minimal supervision, including rostering and organising the work of a team of aides, providing routine co-ordination, guidance, and support to other student support staff, liaising with external providers of support services about clearly defined support needs and resources, assisting teachers with the communication of student outcomes and educational programs
• Provides medical intervention support to a student/s, under specific conditions, with appropriate training and guidance
• Provides specialised communication support for students and teachers in areas such as AUSLAN and braille

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfil 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 (seeWorkplace 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*******@education.vic.gov.au

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

This position is part time 0.8FTE however, attendance will be required 5 days per week.

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
• names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of three professional referees

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

• 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

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