About Waratah Special Developmental School 
Waratah SDS provides educational programs for approximately 70-75 students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Many students also have an ASD diagnosis, physical or sensory impairments or complex medical needs. The school community encompasses a wide range of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Almost 60% students come from non-English speaking backgrounds and our Student Family Occupation index is 0.69. Interpreters are used frequently to assist communication with families.
All students at Waratah SDS have an Individual Learning Program (ILP) which is developed at the with teachers, parents/caregivers, therapists and other relevant professionals contributing. The ILP forms the basis for the students’ programs for the year and reflects individual student’s abilities and progress towards increased independence. Our Instructional Model emphasises using visual support, structure, repetition and teaching skills in a variety of situations to encourage generalisation.
A functional and integrated approach is taken to student learning with language/communication a key focus. Alongside speech we use a range of alternative and augmentative communication systems which include signing, picture symbols, photographs and voice generating devices. The Picture Exchange Communication System, core vocabulary and PODDS are used extensively throughout the school. Opportunities for communication are incorporated into all aspects of the school day.
The therapy programs are an integral part of the school curriculum and are offered on a needs basis. The therapy team includes a speech pathologist, occupational therapist, and physiotherapist. The therapists work closely with teaching staff and provide valuable input into individual learning plans. They work throughout the school demonstrating and discussing with teaching and support staff how the therapy components can be incorporated into classroom programs.
What you’ll do
The successful applicant will be an experienced professional who will carry out their duties and responsibilities, relative to their professional discipline, with a high level of autonomy and with minimal reliance on professional supervision. The successful applicant will be responsible for the development and implementation of professional support programs within an educational environment, including guidance to other professional staff.
The successful candidate will perform the following duties:
- Providing advice and professional learning to others, including teachers and other school wellbeing staff, to build the capacity of schools to improve students’ wellbeing, learning and developmental outcomes
- Delivering professional support services in a school, including mental health prevention and promotion activities and early intervention activities (including short-term counselling) for students with a range of mental health needs, applying sound theoretical knowledge and practical expertise
- Planning and implementing evidence-based intervention strategies for students with complex needs including collaborating with families, other professionals and agencies when appropriate to effectlively manage risk
- Working collaboratively with the school to enhance mental health prevention and promotion across the school by contributing to policies and operational practices that will guide the work of others, including other school wellbeing staff and teachers
- Liaising with other department areas (including secondary school nurses and Student Support Services staff) and external service providers where necessary to provide appropriate support to students
- Maintaining professional competence and continued professional development, including attending professional development activities throughout the year
- Meeting relevant policies and legislative requirements in relation to student health information, privacy and consent
Please note: Continued professional development is a registration requirement under the National Law, which governs the operations of the National Boards and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
The details
- Part time position, 2 days per week (15.2 hours)
- Salary of Education support class level 1 range 4
- Located in Bellfield, VIC
What you’ll bring
- Ability to implement a range of small group and whole-school mental health prevention and promotion activities aimed at improving student mental health and wellbeing, including the delivery of capability building and awareness raising activities for staff and/or students on key mental health and wellbeing issues affecting the school’s student population
- Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies aimed at enhancing mental health and wellbeing prevention, promotion and early intervention
- Demonstrated experience in assessing, conceptualising and analysing wellbeing issues, and providing evidence-based direct counselling support to clients with a range of mental health needs
- Demonstrated experience in coordinating supports for young people with complex needs including referrals to a range of specialist services as appropriate
- Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people
- Clear understanding of legislative requirements regarding privacy of health information
Required:
- Applicants must be qualified as a psychologist, social worker, mental health nurse or occupational therapist.
- For Psychologists, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA
- For Mental Health Nurses, applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA and hold a postgraduate qualification in mental health
- For Social Workers, applicants must be eligible for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers
- For Occupational Therapists applicants must hold full registration with AHPRA
- Demonstrated direct counselling experience
- A current Working With Children Check
Desirable:
- For Psychology applicants, specialisation in educational and/or developmental psychology
- For Mental Health Nurse applicants, holding a Mental Health Nurse Credential and membership with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses
- For Social Work applicants, membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers and an Accredited Social Worker Trade Mark
- For Occupational Therapy applicants, a Better Access to Mental Health Endorsement
Why work with us?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly regarded not-for-profit, community-based organisation in a leadership position where you will have the opportunity to continue to grow and develop your career. You will receive a generous package including professional development and NFP salary packaging. In this role, you will be able to make a positive difference in the lives of people in the community every day.
Next Steps
Interested? Please view the full position description and selection criteria, and apply here.
For further information about the position or application process, please contact Bronwyn Welch, Principal, at (03) 9474 8700. Applications close on 28 March 2024.