Inclusion Outreach Coach

Department of Education VIC – Warrnambool VIC
11 days ago, from Department of Education & Training Victoria
Merri River School is a special school in Warrnambool which caters for students who have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability. The school was founded in 1989 with a student population of 30. The current student population is 174.
In 2020 the school moved into brand new premises on a 7 hectare site situated between Wollaston Road and the Merri River.
Merri River School is a centre of excellence providing individualised programs for students with an intellectual disability. The school caters for children aged between 5 to 18 in a small group environment in line with the Victorian Curriculum. Each student has an Individual Learning Plan.
The school is divided into four sub-schools: Junior Primary; Senior Primary; Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary.
The school is well supported by therapists (speech, OT, physio and allied health), student wellbeing counsellor, and teacher assistants. A Hands on Learning program provides additional support to students who are at risk of disengagement.
We also offer a variety of specialist programs, including: Physical Education, STEM, Art, Music and Food Technologies.
Some of our students have dual enrolment at a mainstream school when this has been deemed beneficial for the student's learning program.
The oldest students either undertake VET or VPC program. Students are also involved in a comprehensive work experience program.
Curriculum
Programs are delivered within Department of Education guidelines and reflect the Victorian Curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the development of programs that address individual student needs, through Individual Learning Plans. Educational goals and priorities are reviewed every six months.
Non-Negotiable for Every Learning Environment Commitment to enacting the school's agreed Instructional Model and teaching practices Strong Relationships with all children and understanding of high level student needs High expectations and excellent classroom practice Excellent Presentation – Classroom displays and well organised learning spaces Class groups are comprised of 6-8 students, with a teacher and teacher assistant, to ensure a safe and effective learning environment, where individuals are respected and self-esteem and dignity are strongly advocated. The school has a multi-disciplinary approach to student learning with input from educators, therapists and parents. Teachers case conference students with their allocated Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist each week.
Our school philosophy is reflected in its programs and based on the belief that children learn best in a cooperative environment that is happy, challenging, supportive and non-threatening. Merri River School has a School Wide Positive Behaviour Program and has developed a school culture that is reflected by the ideals of positive behaviour support.
An emphasis is placed on students attaining skills and knowledge that they will use as young adults when graduating at 18 years of age.
Staffing
The school is staffed with classroom teachers, specialist teachers, literacy specialists, teacher assistants, occupational therapists, speech therapists and physiotherapists. The school accesses additional support through the Visiting Teacher Services for Hearing and Vision Impairment and a Guidance Officer. Current staffing includes over 95 staff including a team of therapists and therapy assistants.
Merri River School provides educational programs for primary and secondary school aged students with a moderate to severe intellectual disability who may also have sensory, physical impairments and autism spectrum disorder.
The school is a modern purpose-built facility located in Warrnambool and provides an attractive and safe environment. Learning areas include well-equipped classrooms, dedicated specialist spaces and outdoor learning zones. Merri River School has a current enrolment of 174 students. Students attend school daily from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Eligible school-aged students living within the designated transport zone have access to free transport to and from school.
Selection Criteria Demonstrated high level experience in inclusive education practice (teaching and learning), building school staff capability and developing processes for observation and feedback of teacher practice and peer collaboration. Demonstrated experience planning, implementing and evaluating evidence-based intervention strategies for students with disabilities and providing feedback to teaching staff to inform their effectiveness and development. Demonstrated ability to input into the development, implementation and evaluation of processes and strategies relating to teaching students with disability and diverse learning needs in a range of school settings. Demonstrated ability to provide explicit advice to teaching staff to assess and monitor student achievement and learning progress in line with the Victorian curriculum, and support teaching staff with effective strategies to engage with parents and families, including reporting on student progress. Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills including the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of people. Ability to provide leadership, professional learning and coaching that informs and influences the work of others involved in the engagement and wellbeing of children and young people. Context The Disability Inclusion reform agenda announced in the 2020/21 State Budget will invest more than $1.5 billion into the Victorian Education system over four years. This investment will support the Department of Education (the Department) to further improve outcomes for schools and students with disability and diverse learning needs. A key initiative under the reform is the Inclusion Outreach Coaching initiative, which supports schools to implement inclusive practices, guided by Inclusion Outreach Coaches (Learning Specialists).
Classification Teacher Class (Learning Specialist) - Range 3
The successful applicant will be a highly skilled classroom practitioner who continues to spend the majority of their time in schools and classrooms delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialist class employees are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons, and mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.
Role Inclusion Outreach Coaches are based in specialist schools and partner with mainstream schools for defined periods, to provide coaching support to school leadership and staff aimed at strengthening inclusive practices. Coaches partner with the schools to increase their capability to implement preventative, evidence-based strategies that benefit all students. Together, the coach and school use data to identify a goal to work towards and plan and monitor for improvement and sustainability. Coaches collaborate with Departmental regional team members in a team-based response to the identified need. There is an emphasis on Tier 1 preventative, system change practices. Coaches do not work directly with students or provide individual student support. Coaches will undertake training to support schools in data-based decision making and using a Multi-tiered System of Supports. Coaches use a hybrid delivery model, so travel will be required.
Responsibilities Demonstrating high-level expertise in teaching and learning practice and modelling exemplary practice and values in inclusive education, to support the development of an inclusive school culture. Delivering high quality, explicit technical advice and coaching support on best-practice for educators to effectively engage students in inclusive classrooms, so that they reach full participation. Supporting the school-based leadership team to use whole-school data and establish processes and/or systems to help identify how to make and embed school-wide adjustments to develop a high performing, inclusive school culture that is conducive to delivering inclusive practices. Playing a key role in implementing professional learning, including through coaching, and supporting schools to design, implement and monitor interventions delivered through a multi-tiered system of supports framework. Modelling effective inclusive education whole school and classroom practices and supporting teachers to seek, analyse and act on feedback on their practice. Providing leadership and professional learning to others, such as school leaders and teachers to help ensure quality inclusive practices are provided by schools to improve students' learning and developmental outcomes. Maintaining professional competence and attend ongoing professional learning, including attending professional development coaching activities throughout the year. Maintaining active involvement in Inclusion Outreach Coaching Communities of Practice for educator and coaching workforces. Collecting and analysing implementation and evaluation data of the Inclusion Outreach Coaching initiative and liaising with the Regional Inclusion Outreach Coordinator to respond to identified needs. Additional Area Responsibilities Using rigorous problem-solving procedures to identify and respond to school and school-based staff need; and coaching others to do so. Delivering both inclusion in-reach and outreach models of support to ensure the adoption and effective implementation of inclusive practices across a range of school settings. Collecting, analysing and using data effectively to monitor and report the measurable impact of the inclusion in/outreach practices being implemented in collaboration with the Regional Inclusion Outreach Coordinator. Partnering and collaborating with other coaches and workforces within the Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion and School Improvement teams in a multidisciplinary approach. Maintaining connectedness and capability support within the hiring specialist school (equivalent to one day per week) through: dedicated time to work with specialist school learning specialists and leadership teams coaching educators in specialist school classrooms attending specialist school meetings where appropriate ensuring evidence-based inclusive education practices are embedded within the hiring specialist school. Who May Apply Required
Currently hold registration or be eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position. Desirable
A graduate or postgraduate qualification in special/inclusive education and/or disability. Experience in, or understanding across various school settings. Demonstrated experience in inclusive education. Demonstrated experience working with students with disabilities and diverse learning needs. Other Relevant Information A current driver's licence is mandatory, and a capacity to access private transport with approved comprehensive insurance cover. Successful applicants are subject to a satisfactory criminal record check prior to employment. New DE employees are required to meet the cost of the criminal record check. Please ensure that your application includes:
A section that addresses the key selection criteria. A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, email and telephone numbers.) Names and contact details (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application. Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.
EEO AND OHS Commitment 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.
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. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via ******
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:
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:
Other Information Inclusion Outreach Coaches are based in specialist schools and partner with mainstream schools for defined periods, to provide coaching support to school leadership and staff aimed at strengthening inclusive practices. Coaches partner with the schools to increase their capability to implement preventative, evidenced-based strategies that benefit all students. Together, the coach and school use data to identify a goal to work towards and plan and monitor for improvement and sustainability. Coaches collaborate with Departmental regional team members in a team-based response to the identified need. There is an emphasis on Tier 1 preventative, system change practices. Coaches do not work directly with students or provide individual student support. Coaches will undertake training to support schools in data-based decision making and Multi-tiered Systems of Support. Coaches use a hybrid delivery model, so travel may be required. To be eligible to apply you must have a current Working with Children Check and driver's licence.
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 VIT LANTITE To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.
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