Location Profile

MULTI-CAMPUS SCHOOL - VACANCY IS NON SPECIFIC TO A CAMPUS

NSA School Vision

Learning for Life

Northern School for Autism strives to be a centre of excellence. Students are supported towards developing their personal and educational potential, so as to be valued contributors to family and community life.

School Values: Trust, Understanding, Safety

School Overview

Northern School for Autism is a Victorian State Government specialist school that exclusively addresses the educational needs of students with autism ranging in age from 5 to 18 years. The school was established in 2006 and currently operates across two campuses located in Reservoir and Lalor. Reservoir is an Early and Middle Years campus; Lalor is a Later Years campus. The school also coordinates a satellite program at Norris Bank Primary School. Class-groups generally comprise of six to ten students of similar chronological age. Teachers, teacher aides and therapists (speech pathologists and occupational therapists) work in teams of two or three in each classroom, supported by specialist teachers (PE, Art and Music) as well as a team of leading teachers.

School Structure

The school is divided into sub-schools according to the stages of schooling (ages approximate):

- Early Years ~ 5 - 8 years.
- Middle Years ~ 9 - 14 years.
- Later Years ~ 15 - 18 years.

Pedagogical Philosophy

The community of Northern School for Autism believes that to succeed in the world, students need to develop the capacity to:

- Manage themselves as individuals in relation to others.
- Understand the world in which they live.
- Act effectively in that world.

Teaching and Learning

Northern School for Autism implements a teaching approach that builds on individual student's strengths and skills. The educational programs accommodate the particular impairments associated with autism; teaching and learning programs centre upon developing students, interpersonal/personal skills, communication skills and executive functioning. Emphasis is placed on promoting social skills, assisting students develop their imagination and play skills, as well as supporting students learn to manage and self-regulate their emotions and behaviour. Programs are designed to accommodate individual student's needs and interests. Teachers are trained in autism specific pedagogy (structured teaching) and work in accordance with the autism specific Northern School for Autism, Teaching and Learning Protocols. Staff members deliver programs in a consistent, autism `friendly, manner across the whole school. All students are encouraged and supported to become independent, life-long learners. NSA is proud to implement a School-wide Positive Behaviour Support approach.

Individual Learning Plans and Student Support Group Meetings

NSA has developed an autism specific curriculum which incorporates AusVELS and (in the Later Years) an Applied Learning Program. Each student's current level of performance is identified and programs are implemented to address their individual learning needs. Termly Individual Learning Plans are developed for each student through discussion with parents/carers, teachers, education support staff and other professionals at Student Support Group (SSG) meetings. Individual progress is formally recorded and reported upon at termly SSG meetings and in written reports to parents/carers. Teachers use a variety of formal and informal measures to ensure students are meeting their individual educational goals. Individual student progress, as well as student progress across the whole school is assessed formally via the on-line Abilities Based Learning Education Support (ABLES) program.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated capacity to perform duties consistent with established guidelines and frameworks,



including coordinating and supporting others in respect to supporting the leadership to implement structures across the school.

SC2 Demonstrated capacity to work and collaborate with others in a team environment.

SC3 Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in a team environment, including high level oral and written communication skills.

SC4 Demonstrated outstanding knowledge of autism spectrum disorder and have the ability to implement structured teaching.

SC5 Demonstrated ability in managing behaviours of concern, supporting your teaching team to effectively implement a range of positive behaviour support strategies.

Role

Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of qualified support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.

Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.

This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.

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

Responsibilities are but not limited to:

- Provides routine support for teachers including assisting with planning of student routines.
- Supports behavioural presentations relating to 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, including behaviour support.
- Provides specialised communication support for students with AAC.
- Assist with the supervision of students in playgrounds, at camps, on excursions,



in sporting activities, therapy activities and life skills.
- Implementing small group sessions (up to four students) planned by the teacher or leading teacher.
- Support the leading teachers to set and reset work schedules and tubs.
- Support with positive behaviour management strategies across the campus.

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

Other Information

- 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

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 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal

📌 Positive Behaviour Support (West Melbourne)
🏢 Government schools
📍 West Melbourne