Job type: Full time / From 28/01/2025
Organisation: Schools (Government)
Salary: Salary not specified
Occupation: Education and Training
Reference: 1438051
Job posted: 19/09/2024
Closes: 06/10/2024
Location ProfileDandenong Valley SDS is a specialist school located in Narre Warren Victoria. We cater for students with significant intellectual disability. The school was built in 1990 with an addition of a purpose built BER building in 2012. The school facilities include a PMP room, a Hydrotherapy pool which was refurbished in 2018 as a sensory space. We also have a sensory garden, horticulture centre, bike track, fitness room, engine room and sensory room, generous sized classrooms and stimulating play spaces. Our enrolment criteria are moderate to severe intellectual disability and students must reside within our transport zone.
Students at our school range in age from Foundation to year twelve and we also have an Early Education Program which caters for children from 2.8 -4.8 years. The three year olds attend one day a week and the four year olds come two days a week.
The senior transition program caters for students who are in their last two years of schooling. Its aim is to provide students with a diverse range of age appropriate learning experiences in preparation for post school options and adult life.
Our Vision for Dandenong Valley School is to achieve excellence in learning and teaching and provide the best outcomes for each of its students.
Our Values are:
IntegrityRespectResponsibilityDandenong Valley SDS is a Schoolwide Positive Behaviour community. This Framework is fully embedded across the school and enables us to promote a happy positive learning environment for all. Our school rules are explicitly taught across all areas of the curriculum and the school:
Be responsibleBe respectfulBe a learnerBe safeOur Special Education programs are fully supported by a large therapy team which comprises three speech therapists, two occupational therapists, one physiotherapist and two music therapists. The role of the therapy team is to support the students to enable them to access their educational program. Therapists also work in close cooperation with teachers to ensure individual goals are achieved by all students.
Student Individual learning goals are based on our strategic plan priorities which are:
The need to develop a functional communication system.The need to develop their independence skills.The need to develop their social competencies.Dandenong Valley SDS is committed to child safety. Our school actively promotes the safety and wellbeing of all students, including the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities and vulnerable children. 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.
At Dandenong Valley SDS we provide programs that cater for individual needs, interests and abilities of our students. The school's curriculum is based on The Victorian curriculum (levels A-D). In addition we offer a range of specialised programs that occur within the school environment or out in the local community.
Selection Criteria1. Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate evidence-based assessment tools and intervention options relevant to students with a moderate to severe intellectual disability, autism and/or physical disabilities.
2. Demonstrated exemplary communication and interpersonal skills when working with students, families, colleagues and other professionals.
3. Demonstrated capacity and willingness to work in an educational framework as part of a multidisciplinary team.
4. Demonstrated ability to assist students with their awareness of their sensory needs and development of skills for self-regulation.
RoleThe Occupational Therapy position at Dandenong Valley SDS will be one of assessing students and implementing and evaluating programs related to Occupational Therapy.
Conduct development assessments and observations of students in areas such as sensory motor, fine and gross motor skills, regulation and life skills.Design and implement programs according to students individual needs and based on developmental level and age appropriateness (in consultation with teachers, parents/carers, as appropriate).Evaluate Occupational Therapy service delivery, as measured by rate of achievement of students goals, and feedback from staff, administration, and parents/carers.Document, record and accurately report on student involvement, evaluate progress and make recommendations for future programming.Provide reports to support the Program for students with disabilities.Prescribe equipment/modifications to enable the student to access the school environment and programs.Liaise with professionals, families, carers and private therapists.Provide professional development/information sessions (e.g. Sensory Integration, "Crash and Bash" and "Handwriting without Tears") for parents and staff.Attend meetings e.g. Staff, Education and Therapy Team meetings.Assist with the formulation of the annual OT budget.Assist with management of the Occupational Therapy resources.ResponsibilitiesTo work within an educational model of delivery.Knowledge of Occupational Therapy techniques, resources and approaches suitable for working with children and young adults with moderate to severe and/or multiple disabilities.To work co-operatively with a multi-disciplinary team including teachers, Physiotherapist, Speech Therapist, Psychologist, parents and carers, NDIS funded private therapists and education support staff.Manage work priorities in consultation with the Principal and the Occupational Therapy team.Understanding and receptive attitude towards working with children with disabilities, including ability to deal with challenging behaviour.Sense of humour, energy, enthusiasm and creativity.Willingness to learn and to contribute to the life of the school.Who May ApplyThis position involves working with children who have moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and/or multiple disabilities and who require an intensive level of care in a therapy team environment.
Formal qualifications are mandatory. Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) or Master of Occupational Therapy.AHPRA Registered/Pending.Graduates are welcome to apply.The successful applicant must hold a current employee Working with Children's Check.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.
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.
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