Occupation: Education and training

Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs

Reference: 1546658

Location Profile

Glenroy Specialist School is one of four schools in Victoria specialised for students with physical disabilities and significant medical needs. Current enrolment numbers are 168.6 EFT with students ranging in age from 5 to 18 years.

The school boasts a purpose-built facility designed to optimise student learning outcomes and maximise their health and wellbeing. Divided into three sub-schools: Junior, Middle and Senior, classes are structured to cater for learning levels. Teaching and supports are differentiated to accommodate students' individual communication and access. Specialist teaching spaces include the arts precinct, library and hydrotherapy pool.

Glenroy Specialist School has a large and complex staffing profile of over 200 staff. Roles across the school include the leadership team, teachers, classroom education support staff, personal care assistants, mealtime assistants, administration and grounds staff and allied health staff. The school operates a Team Around the Learner model where all stakeholders work in a collaborative manner with the student at the centre. All staff participate in personalcare programs and are involved in manual handling.

Selection Criteria

- Demonstrate understanding of the implications of giving mealtime assistance to students with severe physical and multiple disabilities.
- Demonstrate skills to work effectively as a member of a team.
- Demonstrate an understanding of ways to communicate with students who have significant physical and multiple disabilities.

Role





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 explicit guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.





An education support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an education support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialisedstudent/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

Responsibilities

Glenroy Specialist School is a school for students with physical and multiple disabilities.

Teacher assistants work alongside teachers and therapists to support students physical and educational programs.

With the necessary training, mealtime assistants are expected to undertake duties that include:

- Work from 11.45 AM until 1.45 PMeach school day
- Follow training and specific instructions to provide mealtime assistance to students on a one-to-one basis or a small group.
- Pushing children in wheelchairs including engaging and disengaging brakes. Transferring students to and from buses, generally pushing wheelchairs or supporting students walking
- Lifting and hoisting students according to established profiles
- Transferring students into standing frames, walking frames, onto bikes and onto classroom furniture
- Physically supporting students in walking and bike riding programs
- Physically supporting and worki

📌 Mealtime Support Assistant — Part-Time School-Based (Melbourne)
🏢 Victorian Government
📍 Melbourne