Music Therapist

Job type: Full time / From 28/01/2025 - 26/01/2026
Organisation: Schools (Government)
Salary: Salary not specified
Occupation: Education and Training
Reference: 1458993
Job posted: 16/12/2024
Closes: 29/12/2024
Location ProfileMelton Specialist School has seen a significant increase in enrolment demand, which has seen many changes to our staffing profile over the last 2 years.
The current enrolment is 402 students. We have a real focus on staff wellbeing and ensuring our staff have the time away from class to focus on their administrative duties. We have flexible working arrangements and provide onsite training for all staff for TEACCH and Behaviour Support.
In 2021 we introduced the Wellbeing Dog Program into the school. Bunji, our school dog, works with staff and students and his primary objective is to have fun at school! Bunji does everything from Bus Duty in the morning to School Tours to walking excursions. His introduction to our School Community has had an extremely positive impact.
Melton Specialist School provides educational programs for students with disabilities at both primary and secondary levels in a positive, caring and safe environment. It is a dual mode setting, catering for students with mild through to severe intellectual disabilities and other associated disabilities like Autism. Students are transported to our school via bus or family transport. The school is closely located to other schools as well as a variety of community retail spaces, leisure and recreational facilities. Our school environment is comprised of traditional classrooms, specialist and vocational training classrooms, therapy spaces and indoor sensory areas. Our grounds feature natural gardens, purpose built outdoor sensory areas, playground equipment, sports facilities and covered walkways. Teachers and Educational Support staff make extensive use of a wide variety of resources to ensure all students have an educational journey that is positive and successful. Our school's philosophy and programs are based upon the belief that children learn best in a structured environment that is safe, challenging and supportive with a school-wide focus on Positive Behaviour Support. Across the school we implement Structured TEACCHing and provide onsite training for staff to implement this approach to teaching and learning. We provide programs in Arts, Literacy, Physical Education, Numeracy, Information Technology, Science and Life Skills. Senior students also have the option of accessing a VCAL or ASDAN program which aim to develop work related skills, travel education and personal development skills. Student Support Group meetings involving staff, parents, carers and our Allied Health team are held four times a year to formulate individual learning goals based on each student's ability, strengths and needs and celebrate achievements towards these goals.
Stage two of a four-stage rebuilding project has recently been completed and we have some amazing new teaching spaces including our very own Mini Woolies. Stage one was completed in 2019. Through our Improvement plans, the school aims to develop a change in the culture of the school where roles are clarified, structures and processes are developed and embedded, and an expectation on consistent practice and developing expertise is expected in all staff.
Our VisionStaff at Melton Specialist School believe in creating a nurturing environment where students are empowered to achieve their full potential, be that in the academic curriculum, in their social interactions or in the area of independent living skills. Increasing student independence and creating an engaging learning environment is foremost when staff plan and implement individual programs.
Our ValuesMelton Specialist School values the safety, health and wellbeing of its students, staff and community. The cornerstone of education for the students who attend our school relies on the partnerships that are formed between families, the school and agencies outside of the school. At this school, we respect student diversity and we acknowledge that all students can learn in their respective manner. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that student learning is engaging and relevant to the individual. Students in the school demonstrate their responsibility by trying their best in their academic, social and personal interactions.
We are a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support School.
School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is an evidence-based framework for preventing and responding to student behaviour. It aims to create a positive school climate, a culture of student competence and an open, responsive management system for all school community members. It includes analysis of data in professional learning teams, implementation of evidence-based practices and organisational systems for establishing safe, purposeful and inclusive school and classroom learning environments while providing the individual behaviour and learning supports needed to achieve academic and social success for all students.
Our School PurposeOur school purpose is supported by the following school values that are central to the life of the school: Be Responsible - Be Respectful - Be Safe.
Selection CriteriaKSC 1. Experience and knowledge in the field of music therapy for students aged 5 to 18 with an intellectual disability within a Specialist School.KSC 2. A commitment to assisting each student to achieve their highest potential.KSC 3. Demonstrated ability to provide excellent group music therapy programs, with strong music skills and an ability to use a variety of instruments and voice effectively.KSC 4. Demonstrated ability and interest to implement a music therapy education program with individuals and groups of intellectually disabled students, which will support the teaching and learning of the student's educational program.KSC 5. Demonstrated ability to liaise and work with other specialist staff both internal and external to the school community.KSC 6. A high level of competency, flexibility and demonstrated ability to assess student needs and provide therapeutic interventions from a wide variety of music therapy methods and techniques.RoleWork cooperatively with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement students' individual program plans and meet the school's requirements for assessment and reporting.Demonstrate an innovative approach to planning and implementing music therapy programs within the collaborative model.Design, implement and evaluate individual and group music therapy sessions.Act as a resource and liaise with teachers, therapists, and parents to write specific music and provide recordings for programs or the specific needs of students.Provide consultancy for staff, students, and parents as required.Attend meetings including staff meetings, team meetings, and planning for individual programs as required.Participate in personal and departmental appraisal.Establish and maintain networks with other professionals.Maintain personal professional development and provide professional development to school staff.Support and promote a positive, motivating and engaging environment throughout the school.ResponsibilitiesHold a recognised tertiary qualification.Hold registration with the Australian Music Therapy Association.Be accountable for the provision of music therapy services to students in accordance with the policies and objectives of the school.Manage a varied diagnostic caseload.Liaise with and provide information to staff, students, and parents.Ensure that aims and learning outcomes for students are clear and well documented so that desired outcomes can be easily measured.Demonstrate the ability to suggest ideas/plans/potential solutions to achieve clearly established outcomes.Work within interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individual program plans and support students to achieve identified learning outcomes.Provide training and professional development to teachers and colleagues.Participate in the Performance and Development Program process to identify the need for specific areas of professional development, and participate in professional development as required.Observe and apply safety procedures within work and teaching areas in accordance with school policy and relevant safety legislation.Liaise with service providers, welfare agencies and relevant organisations to facilitate student referral where appropriate/necessary.Have access to a designated experienced professional, who could provide guidance and support on a regular basis.Demonstrate a high level of written and verbal communication skills.Maintain confidentiality at all times and be accountable for the maintenance and confidentiality of school records and therapy files.Consult with staff outside the immediate work area with respect to the delivery of support services.Provide information and collaborative advice when required.Prepare reports.Work within interdisciplinary teams to meet the school's requirements for assessment and reporting.Maintain and update the school's records system including computerised student and school records.Be responsible for personal administrative tasks.Liaise with the Head of Department regarding support requirements.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.
Job Classification:To apply for this role, you will be redirected to the Schools (Government) job application system.

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