Wangaratta District Specialist School is a multi-mode specialist school catering for students with mild to severe intellectual and associated disabilities from five to eighteen years of age. We strive to provide a purposeful, comprehensive learning environment meeting the social, emotional and educational requirements of every student.

More than 80 Teaching, Educational Support, wellbeing and Allied Health staff are passionately committed to working with families, carers, specialists, relevant outside agencies and the local community to ensure students achieve their maximum potential and targeted educational outcomes. Enrolment continues to increase with fervour. The 2024 school year began with 160 students enrolled.

WDSS is located in the Rural City of Wangaratta and as of the beginning of 2025, a second campus will also be located in the Rural city of Benalla. The school services the Benalla, Myrtleford, Ovens and King Valleys, Rutherglen, Wahgunyah, and Wangaratta districts. six buses transport students from within Wangaratta and the many towns in surrounding districts.

The school¿s philosophy is reflected in its motto, `Together We Will¿. This is based on the belief that children learn best in a co-operative environment that is happy, challenging, supportive and non-threatening. Strong and respectful relationships between all members of the school community are encouraged as is the active involvement and participation of students, staff, parents, caregivers, volunteers and the wider school community. This is reflected in the strong relationship the school has with all its stakeholders and the high regard with which the school is held in the wider community.

Currently the Wangaratta campus is organised as a junior, middle and senior school, with 20 classrooms grouping students based on a variety of criteria, with a view towards helping students achieve short term goals as stepping stones towards a long-term post school outcome. Class sizes vary from 5 students to 12 students and are staffed according to the student need in each classroom.

From Term 1, 2025, the Benalla campus will run with students aged 5 -15 years with the senior students accessing the VPC from the Wangaratta Campus.

All students have an individual learning plan established in consultation with parents and relevant professionals. In the last three years of school the focus is on transition to adult programs, and this includes work experience, participation in TAFE programs and increased responsibility around the school and community.

Location Profile

Wangaratta District Specialist School is a multi-mode specialist school catering for students with mild to severe intellectual and associated disabilities from five to eighteen years of age. We strive to provide a purposeful, comprehensive learning workplace meeting the social, emotional and educational requirements of every student.

More than 80 Teaching, Educational Support, wellbeing and Allied Health staff are passionately committed to working with families, carers, specialists, relevant outside agencies and the local community to ensure students achieve their maximum potential and targeted educational outcomes. Enrolment continues to increase with fervour. The 2024 school year began with 160 students enrolled.

WDSS is located in the Rural City of Wangaratta and as of the beginning of 2025, a second campus will also be located in the Rural city of Benalla. The school services the Benalla, Myrtleford, Ovens and King Valleys, Rutherglen, Wahgunyah, and Wangaratta districts. six buses transport students from within Wangaratta and the many towns in surrounding districts.

The school¿s philosophy is reflected in its motto, `Together We Will¿. This is based on the belief that children learn best in a co-operative environment that is happy, challenging, supportive and non-threatening. Robust and respectful relationships between all members of the school community are encouraged as is the active involvement and participation of students, staff, parents, caregivers, volunteers and the wider school community. This is reflected in the strong relationship the school has with all its stakeholders and the high regard with which the school is held in the wider community.





Currently the Wangaratta campus is organised as a junior, middle and senior school, with 20 classrooms grouping students based on a variety of criteria, with a view towards helping students achieve short term goals as stepping stones towards a long-term post school outcome. Class sizes vary from 5 students to 12 students and are staffed according to the student need in each classroom.

From Term 1, 2025, the Benalla campus will run with students aged 5 -15 years with the senior students accessing the VPC from the Wangaratta Campus.

All students have an individual learning plan established in consultation with parents and relevant professionals. In the last three years of school the focus is on transition to adult programs, and this includes work experience, participation in TAFE programs and increased responsibility around the school and community.

Selection Criteria

1. Student Relationships and Wellbeing

Demonstrated ability to develop positive, respectful and trusting relationships with primary-aged students and provide appropriate support to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or engagement difficulties within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

2. Early Intervention and Problem Solving

Demonstrated ability to recognise emerging concerns, respond appropriately, implement practical strategies and know when to seek assistance or refer a student to an appropriate professional or service. Demonstrated understanding of strategies that promote student engagement, participation, inclusion, belonging and positive relationships within a primary school environment.

3. Communication and Family Engagement

Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with students, parents/carers and school staff. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a school-based team and contribute positively to student support planning and wellbeing initiatives.

4. Skilled Knowledge and Child Safety and Professional Practice

Demonstrated knowledge of child and adolescent development, inclusive, trauma-informed, culturally responsive and evidence-informed practice, including an understanding of tiered approaches to student support, the Victorian Child Safe Standards, and the Department of Education policices and procedures relevant to student wellbeing, engagement, inclusion and safety.

5. Initiative and Positive Approach

Demonstrated capacity to effectively manage competing priorities and an allocated caseload,work proactively, use initiative and develop practical programs and strategies that improve student wellbeing, engagement and connection to school.

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

- Provide or facilitate the provision of support, counselling and guidance to students who may be self-referred or referred by a teacher or parent/guardian.
- Develop effective networks with external service providers and assist teachers, students and their family¿s access these services.
- Monitor the social, emotional and learning progress of students and provide reports to staff.
- Develop and implement processes which ensure communication of relevant strategies to address the welfare and emotional needs of specific students.
- Develop and implement intervention programs to support the school curriculum and the needs of identified groups of students.
- Liaise as appropriate with parents and outside specialists/agencies. Referring students to outside specialists when necessary.
- Maintain appropriate records in accordance with legislative requirements
- Participate as appropriate in pastoral and health programmes for students
- Developing, recommending and implementing procedures and policies in the areas of student counselling, support and pastoral care in line with legislative requirements and best counselling and educational practice
- Counsel students individually or in small groups as appropriate, to assist them to build resilience and overcome difficulties of a personal, emotional, behavioural and/or social nature
- Commitment to working as part of a multi-discipline team, including working closely with the College, Year Level Co-ordinators and Learning Support staff
- Supporting teaching staff in the implementation of preventative programs and classroom interventions
- Other duties as required by the Principal

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 (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:

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:

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📌 Social Worker - Benalla Campus (Wangaratta)
🏢 Government schools
📍 Wangaratta