Classroom Education Support - Special Education

Wayi School is a new Government P-12 specialist school in Craigieburn providing educational programs for students with disability and high needs who have mild to profound intellectual disability.

 Wayi School is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of our community. Our school recognises the importance of the partnership between our school, and parents and carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students.

 'Wayi' is a Woi-wurrung word of the Wurundjeri people meaning ‘us’ - which represents the vision for our school perfectly.

We plan to work together, in partnership, supporting our students as a team. We know that our students will benefit from the efforts, expertise, and commitment from all of 'US' - including family, educators, and community.

The Wayi School vision is to empower and inspire every member of our learning community. We are committed to creating innovative learning environments that nurture and develop all students through an ability and strength-based approach.

 Through collaborative partnerships we provide learning that is individualised and holistic to ensure our students become valued and contributing members of their community.

 We believe in empowering our staff to work autonomously in a collaborative and supportive team environment that encourages personal growth and development.

 Wayi School’s core values include Voice, Choice and Independence.

 Voice – We believe communication underpins all areas of learning and life, and everybody has the capacity and the right to communicate.

 Choice – We promote agency, enabling everyone to make choices and decisions that influence events and their world.

 Independence – We strive to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of the future.

Teaching & Learning

Wayi School is committed to developing learner independence, by purposefully using the students’ skills and interests to promote the creation of new skills. We identify the abilities that are unique to individual students and employ a team approach that focuses on the development of skills and practices that promote lifelong learning, independence, communication and agency. Teachers, Allied Health and Education Support staff work collaboratively with the students and their parents/carers to develop Individual Education Program (IEP) goals for each student, that are meaningful and relevant for that student. ICT is used extensively to provide rich educational experiences and enhance independence. 

Student Wellbeing

Wayi School has developed a range of strategies to promote engagement, an inclusive and safe environment, positive behaviour, and respectful relationships for all students in our school. We recognise the importance of student friendships and peer support in helping children and students feel safe and less isolated. We acknowledge that some students may need extra social, emotional or educational support at school, and that the needs of students will change over time as they grow and learn.  SW-PBS and Trauma Informed Practice are foundations initiatives at Wayi School.

Professional Development

Successful applicants may be required to work throughout the school, from Foundation to Senior Secondary; however, the professional preferences, experience, skills and aspirations of individual teachers will be considered and attempted to meet.

SC1. Demonstrated capacity to undertake routine and teacher assistant support tasks across a range of work areas within a Special School environment.

SC2. Demonstrated capacity to work co-operatively and communicate effectively within a team environment with a wide range of individuals including students, teachers, other support staff, therapists, and parents.

SC3. Demonstrated ability to competently use technological devices / software to increase student outcomes.

SC4. Demonstrated understanding of School Wide Positive behaviour Support and its application to within a special school setting.

SC5. Demonstrated experience and or willingness to give physical assistance with personal care/self-care responsibilities.

Attendance requirement for this position

An Education Support class position at this range will perform tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice, and school policy under supervision and direction. This may include coordination of other Education Support class staff within the work area or educational program.

An Education Support class position supports the educational services being provided to students but must not include duties of a teacher as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students can be required individually or in groups up to 4 in controlled circumstances and where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.

Certification and/or qualifications of up to three years can be required at this level (noting that Registered Nurse is not included at this level, the first level for which is Level 1 range 3).

A role at this range may include:

• Specific support tasks to achieve outcomes. Typically, this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the co-ordination of a work area under the direction of the principal or a manager.
• Assisting teachers, within an educational program, by undertaking specific support tasks or the coordination of the support function.
• Supervised health and wellbeing support tasks, medical intervention support tasks, or other specialised student/teacher support roles (e.g. enrolled nurses performing the role as described in schedule 3). These roles require specific qualifications and/or training, including roles where further training must be undertaken from time to time. The role is for a specific purpose, for which there will be direct accountability as opposed to support roles that are carried out by a range of staff performing routine tasks under direction.
• Technical tasks that require a sound knowledge of basic technical and/or scientific principles that are used to develop and adapt work methods and make judgements where there are clear guidelines and limited options. Routine technical support in libraries, science, and information technology would be typical examples.

An Education Support class position at this range commencing at the base will initially be limited to undertaking routine tasks that are carried out under close supervision and direction. Work that carries some degree of independence will generally involve a limited number of tasks performed on a regular basis where priorities are clear, procedures are well established, and direction is readily available. Subject to any specific qualification and/or training requirement, an Education Support class employee employed in this range may be progressively required to undertake coordination, specialised student/teacher support tasks, or technical tasks as experience in the role is gained.

• Provides routine support for teachers including assisting with planning of student routines
• Supports communication between teachers and parents
• Communicates with teachers on routine matters related to students and/or other responsibilities
• Provides basic physical care and wellbeing support for students such as toileting, meals, and lifting
• Communicating with student/s to support comprehension of basic tasks and information
• Addresses immediate behavioural presentations relating to specific students within a classroom setting aligned to school policy and procedure
• Provides basic support and supervision for individuals or groups of up to 4 students within a classroom setting
• Supports teachers in the coordination of educational programs independently or under minimal supervision, including rostering and organising the work of a team of aides, providing routine co-ordination, guidance, and support to other student support staff, liaising with external providers of support services about clearly defined support needs and resources, assisting teachers with the communication of student outcomes and educational programs
• Provides medical intervention support to a student/s, under specific conditions, with appropriate training and guidance
• Provides specialised communication support for students and teachers in areas such as AUSLAN and braille

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

The Department of Education and Training 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.

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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

Hours of Employment will be 08:30 - 15:30 Monday to Friday.

Relevant training in disability awareness, first aid, asthma, anaphylaxis, School Wide PBS and Berry Street Education Model training is desirable but not essential.

• 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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx