Occupational Therapist - Disability Inclusion

Occupational Therapist - Disability Inclusion

Department of Education Victoria – Wyndham VIC

5d ago , from Department of Education & Training Victoria

Wyndham Central College is situated in one of Victoria's major growth corridors, approximately 30 minutes west of Melbourne, and provides education for students in Years 7 to 12 from across the Wyndham community.

The College is committed to delivering a rigorous, guaranteed, and viable curriculum, enhanced by the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. Through AVID, students develop the skills, strategies, and dispositions necessary to succeed in their learning and pursue their chosen pathways with confidence. Wyndham Central College is proud to be one of the first schools in Australia recognised as an AVID Demonstration School, showcasing exemplary teaching and learning practices and the AVID University and Career Readiness System. This recognition reflects the College's commitment to best practice in student success strategies, inquiry-based learning, collaborative teaching approaches, and university and career readiness.

The curriculum is enriched through a range of innovative and challenging programs designed to cater to diverse student interests and aspirations. These include the Years 7-10 Enrichment and Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP), the Years 7-10 Spanish Immersion Program (SIP), the Middle Years STEM Academy, the Football Development Program, and the distinction of being one of only three Hindi Beacon Schools in Victoria.

To further strengthen student outcomes and realise the College vision, all students develop a Careers Action Plan (CAP) and an individual learning plan commencing in Year 7. These plans promote goal setting, reflection, and ongoing consultation between students, teachers, and parents/carers. This strong three-way partnership is fundamental to student success and is supported by an extensive Tutor Advocate program, comprehensive pastoral care structures, whole-school wellbeing initiatives, a Student Services Centre, and a Community Hub.

Supporting the College's Educational Improvement Plan are modern, purpose-built facilities, including a Trade Training Centre, a dedicated Year 7 Centre, Years 8 and 9 Centre, and a Senior Years Centre, each supported by dedicated administration teams. Specialist learning environments include a state-of-the-art Science and STEM Centre, a Performing and Visual Arts Centre featuring an auditorium, and extensive indoor and outdoor sporting facilities, including a gymnasium. These facilities are complemented by thoughtfully designed active and passive recreational spaces, extensive landscaping, and a student-centred library that supports study, research, and collaborative learning.

The College's leadership structure comprises the Principal Class Team, including the Principal and Assistant Principals, each with dedicated leadership portfolios. This team is supported by Leading Teachers responsible for key areas including Year Level Leadership (Engagement and Wellbeing), Literacy, Numeracy, Pathways and Transitions, AVID Pedagogy and Operations, Senior Years Program Management, and Campus Management. Further strengthening instructional excellence are faculty-based Learning Specialists, who lead Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and support the implementation of high-impact teaching practices and AVID instructional strategies across the College.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Professional Knowledge and Experience

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in occupational therapy practice with children or adolescents, including identifying functional needs and barriers that may impact access, participation and independence within an educational setting.

SC2 Assessment and Reasonable Adjustments

Demonstrated ability to undertake relevant observations and assessments, interpret findings and provide practical, evidence based recommendations for reasonable adjustments that support students with disability and additional needs.

SC3 Documentation and Disability Inclusion

Demonstrated ability to prepare clear and concise professional documentation outlining student functional needs, barriers and recommended supports. Knowledge of the Victorian Disability Inclusion Profile process, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge, is desirable.

SC4 Communication and Collaboration

Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with students, school staff, families and other professionals to support positive educational outcomes.

SC5 Organisation and Professional Practice

Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain accurate professional records while providing responsive and evidence based occupational therapy support within a school environment.

Role

Range 4 is distinguished by broader management responsibility, particularly in the areas of finance, human resource and other support functions.

Range 4 is responsible for managing a range of functions under a wide range of conditions, subject to the size and complexity of school operations.

Objectives will, generally, be clearly defined; guidelines will be broad and day-to-day direction minimal. Management responsibility extends to ensuring appropriate support levels are maintained across the school. Range 4 generally provides key support and timely advice to the leadership team and school council and liaises with the general school community, the Department and other government agencies and service providers.

Specialised professional roles will carry a high level of independence and accountability where suitable scope is provided to achieve objectives.

An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee’s position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Responsibilities

The Occupational Therapist will provide specialist occupational therapy support to the school's Disability Inclusion Profile process.

The primary focus of the role is to assist the Disability Inclusion team to identify and document students' functional needs and the reasonable adjustments required to support their participation at school.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct occupational therapy observations and relevant assessments for students undertaking a Disability Inclusion Profile.
• Identify functional barriers impacting a student's access, participation and independence at school.
• Provide recommendations for reasonable adjustments based on identified student needs.
• Prepare relevant occupational therapy documentation and evidence to support Disability Inclusion Profiles.
• Consult with the Disability Inclusion Coordinator, teachers and Education Support staff to understand current student needs and adjustments.
• Participate in Disability Inclusion Profile meetings where required.
• Where time permits, provide advice regarding reasonable adjustments for students currently supported through Disability Inclusion.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in Occupational Therapy.
• Current AHPRA registration.
• Current Working with Children Check and relevant requirements for employment within a Victorian government school.
• Experience supporting children or adolescents with disability or additional needs is highly desirable.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill 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 (see Workplace 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

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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