Speech Therapist - Start Date Negotiable

Officer Specialist School is a purpose-built facility servicing the needs of students aged between 5-18, with mild to severe intellectual and associated disabilities in the shires of Cardinia and Casey; two of the fastest growing municipalities in Melbourne. The school opened in 2014 and the student population has increased rapidly each year, requiring the recruitment of new staff and additions to our buildings and facilities.

There are two departments at the school, Primary and Secondary, and these include classrooms, visual and performance arts spaces, food technology kitchens for both departments (including the student run Shivering Chicken Café), multipurpose spaces and extensive therapy spaces. Areas for social gathering are also featured.

With continued growth we now have a number of modular buildings including a Performing Arts Hub, Sensory Motor Room, Sustainability Hub and an Out of School Hours Pilot Program. The school has just opened two newly established sensory playgrounds.

School staff work in transdisciplinary teams that include teaching staff, allied health practitioners and education support staff to cater for the diverse range of student abilities and needs. Our teaming approach also provides opportunities for staff to learn from one another and share expertise.

Officer Specialist School aims to create reflective and independent learners for life through a learning community that provides a challenging and secure environment responsive to individual learning needs. We believe that effective learning occurs when outstanding and creative teaching staff provide a variety of tasks that actively engage students who are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning.



The expectation is that students will be successful and enthusiastic learners capable of building positive relationships.

Officer Specialist School believes that every child can and will learn in an environment of dignity and respect. It is the role of the school and its community to build on a child's strengths and talents to ensure that each child reaches their full potential.

The school community has a commitment to ensuring that our students are offered a high quality education enhanced by a caring and supportive environment. Parents and members of the community at large are welcomed to the school and encouraged to participate in a range of activities and programs, including a very active Parents and Friends Association. Much emphasis is placed on educational opportunities, inviting the community to be involved to a greater extent in the school, and establishing the school as a focal point of the community. We value our family friendly culture.

School values: Safe, Respectful, Learners

Selection Criteria

- KS1-Demonstrated ability to assist in the development of students by improving the student's access to the curriculum
- KS2-Ability to work effectively in a team situation with other paramedical staff, teachers, teacher assistants and school support staff
- KS3-Well developed communication skills when relating to students, staff, parents and outside agencies




- KS4-Demonstrated ability to assess each student's learning needs, formulate individual and group therapy programs, assess, monitor and record progress
- KS5-A demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and the capacity to reflect critically upon professional practice relevant to specialist schools
- KS6- An understanding of intellectual disability and its impact on learning.
- KS7- An understanding of, and capacity to manage challenging behaviour, across a diverse range of age and disability.

Role

Attendance during the school vacation period is not required for this position.

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

📌 Speech Therapist (Melbourne)
🏢 Government schools
📍 Melbourne