Classroom Assistant - Special Education

Job duration: From 28/01/2025
Reference: 1446131
Occupation: Teacher
Salary Range: Salary not specified
Location ProfileBallarat Specialist School caters for students aged from 3 to 18 years who have a diagnosed intellectual disability ranging from mild to profound. Ballarat Specialist School is a dual-campus K-12 school organised around four stages of learning - Early Learning (Ages 3-5), Primary School (Ages 5-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15) and Senior School (Ages 15-18). Our Early Learning to Middle School students are accommodated at our main Gillies Street Campus. Our Senior School students are located at our 8.09 hectare FARM Campus in Norman Street. Our current enrolment is approximately 430 students.
Our school's mission is "Achieving Personal Success Together". We strive to enable our students and staff to reach their full potential in a safe, stimulating and flexible learning environment. Our educational programs provide a balanced and personalised curriculum where student achievement is acknowledged and celebrated.
Ballarat Specialist School provides an inclusive and rigorous learning program that challenges and engages students to grow as passionate learners. The school's teaching and learning programs are underpinned by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and The Victorian Pathways Certificate. A comprehensive curriculum, with a strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy, is embedded into curriculum maps for each of the mini-schools within the school. Each curriculum map is designed to meet the learning needs of students at their individual stages of learning. This is supported by Individual Education Plans for all students. Communication is a keystone of all learning and curriculums within the school. The school's pedagogy reflects current research, and best practice is enacted to maximise student learning outcomes. Our teaching and learning programs are anchored in a gradual release of responsibility model to enable our students to become independent and lifelong learners. Through Professional Learning Communities, Ballarat Specialist School Staff invest in the collective application of curriculum, assessment, shared learning, reflection and they engage in inquiry about student work.
Our specialist programs include: Science, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Physical Education (PE) and Hospitality. The school also operates the Vintage Soul Op Shop and a café at our Norman Street FARM campus. Through these enterprises, we can offer students pathways to future employment as these school-based work areas and programs are connected to the specific delivery of Certificate I in life skills and Certificate II Courses through local TAFE institutes. The courses conducted onsite are Kitchen Operations, Retail, Horticulture, Visual Arts, Sport & Recreation, Music Industry and Work skills.
Our supermarket, Mini Woolies provides an onsite and real life supermarket experience for our primary and middle school students at Gillies Street.
Individual Educational Plans (IEP's) are developed by the Student Support Group, which comprises parents and carers, outside agencies, and school staff. The IEPs are then implemented by school staff, including Classroom Staff, Education Assistants and supported by the Integrated Service Team.
Selection CriteriaKSC 1: Capacity and experience to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a special school environment.KSC 2: Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students where necessary.KSC 3: Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position Department.KSC 4: Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support staff, students and parents.KSC 5: A commitment to professional learning and growth.RoleBe acquainted with and effectively carry out the responsibilities of the position as set out in the relevant position description.Seek feedback on performance and continue to improve knowledge and skills.Act in a professional manner with colleagues, students and parents/carers as appropriate.Promote a safe and supportive school environment.Assist with the toileting, meals, lifting and administration of medication for students requiring special care.Undertake training and provide support in managing challenging behaviours.Provide medical intervention procedures as required.Assist with the supervision of students in playgrounds, at the bus port, during camps and excursions, during other activities such as sports, therapies, life skills training etc.Adhere to school protocols and our staff code of conduct.Participate in team meetings.Assist in the identification of professional development needs.ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Of Education Support Staff at Ballarat Specialist School:
Always maintain a child safe environment.Provide routine support for teachers.Communicate with teachers about routine matters.Assist teachers with communication with parents about routine matters.Provide basic physical and emotional care for students such as toileting, meals and lifting.Communicate with student/s about comprehension of basic tasks and information.Address immediate behaviour issues relating to specific students within a classroom setting.Assist with coordination and planning of student routines.Be accountable for performance of allocated tasks.Responsibilities of this position may include, but are not limited by, the following duties:
Physical assistance tasksPushing students in wheelchairs, transferring and hoisting students.Transferring students between school activities both on and off school grounds.Transferring students to and from buses.Physical support for students participating in swimming, sporting and therapy activities.Personal care and communication tasksMaintaining personal hygiene of students.Toileting and personal care.Dressing and undressing support.Supporting student communication including using specialised equipment and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC) systems.Classroom and school support tasksAssisting in the maintenance of a clean and inviting classroom and school environment.Ensuring equipment is clean and well maintained.Preparing educational materials and equipment as directed.Setting up and packing down equipment for classroom and playground activities.Who May ApplyIndividuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
EEO AND OHS CommitmentApplicants 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.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces.
Child Safe StandardsVictorian 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 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.
Induction and support programs will be provided.
Our school appoints Education Support Staff who:Are able to work with students who have mild, moderate and profound intellectual disabilities associated with physical, social, emotional, behavioural, multiple and sensory impairments.Are able to assist other staff members in a specific area of the school. These areas may be in Administration or Information Technology.Show a commitment to whole school life by participating in all school activities.What can you expect from our school?Our school has a strong focus on assisting our students to reach their full potential. We are committed to the development of our Education Support staff with professional development programs offered in relevant areas.You will be part of a vital, stimulating and challenging learning environment. The skills you bring to this environment will be accepted and used.Our school has a committed School Council and we share a good relationship with our broader school community.Preparing your application:Applicants must hold a current type E Working with Children Check Card. In your application you must include both the name on your Working with Children Card and the actual card number.
Your application should persuade us that you are the best person for this position. It does not need to be long but should help us to decide if you would fit easily into our school philosophy and learning and teaching team. If you are submitting hardcopies of your application, please provide the school with three copies of your application.
Applicants must respond to the Key Selection Criteria for this position in their application. If you do not address the selection criteria you may not be offered an interview.
You are also requested to name two confidential referees that we can contact for further information.
Our selection process:After the closing date, our Selection Panel will meet and consider the applications submitted by applicants. The Panel will short list applicants for interview, interviews will be conducted and referees contacted prior to a decision being made. During the interview you will be expected to present your current type E Working with Children's Check card.
The successful applicant completes a Validation of Personal Information declaration and a Pre-Employment Health declaration.
Conditions of EmploymentThis vacancy is specifically linked to Student Support Funding and is ongoing. If the funding reduces or ceases during the first seven years of employment, employment may cease subject to the provision of at least 12 weeks' notice.
To apply for this role, you will be redirected to the Schools (Government) job application system.

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