Address Location Profile
Broadmeadows Special Developmental 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 the Melbourne suburb of Broadmeadows and provides an attractive and safe environment. Learning areas include well-equipped classrooms, dedicated specialist spaces and outdoor learning zones. The school has 2 sites, the main campus in Dimboola Rd and a Sorrento Street campus with students attending from a wide geographical and diverse socio-economic background.
The school has a current enrolment of 340 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.
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. 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 trans-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 co-operative environment that is happy, challenging, supportive and non-threatening. Broadmeadows SDS 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 150 staff including a team of 30 plus therapists.
Successful applicants may be required to work at either the Dimboola Campus or the Sorrento Campus which are within a short walk of each other.
Selection Criteria
SC1 Capacity to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a school environment.
SC2 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.
SC3 Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position.
SC4 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support, students and parents.
SC5 A commitment to professional learning and growth.
Role
Performs and/or supervises tasks that are carried out in accordance with guidelines, accepted practice and school policy. This may include the supervision and coordination of other education support class staff within the work area or educational program. Supervision and coordination would be limited to ensuring routine tasks are performed to required standards. Input into identifying training needs and development of education support class staff within the work area or educational program becomes an important feature at range 2.
SpecialisEd Support to achieve specific outcomes is a feature of range 2. Typically this will involve accountability for a single function, (e.g. ensuring data is properly maintained) or the operation of a work area (e.g. managing the day to day operation of a school office) under the direction of the principal or another senior manager.
Provides support to teachers and students that is beyond the routine support provided at education support class Level 1, range 1. Within an educational program assists teachers with the coordination of the support function, such as directing/organising the work of other support staff or providing a specialist support role.
Undertakes medical intervention support tasks or other specialised student/teacher support roles that require specific training that must be updated 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.
Performs 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 laboratories would be typical examples.
An education support class position supports the educational services being provided to students, but must not include duties of teaching as defined in clause 2.6.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) or its successor. Supervision of students cannot be required except where it is an integral part of the employee's position or involves supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of this position will be:
To work under the routine direction of the classroom teacher.Provide support for the student in all school programs.Produce basic curriculum support resources and assist students on an individual or group basis in specific learning areas.Assist in therapy activities and life skills with students.Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of programs and of student’s level of participation and achievement.Assist in the preparation of equipment and purchasing of materials and supplies as required.Participate in Parent/teacher interviews as required.
Attendant Care
Assist with toileting, showering and changing of students as a priority.Provide basic physical and emotional care for students.Observe students and bring any concerns to the attention of teachers if necessary.To treat the students in a positive and respectful way.
To develop and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers.To participate in an appraisal/annual review process.To actively develop and maintain effective relationships with parents and staff.To follow Occupational Health and Safety guidelines. e.g. correct cross infection prevention.To maintain confidentiality.To carry out other duties as assigned by the principal or classroom teacher.To participate in team meetings and staff meetings.To assist in the development of school policy on an ongoing basis.
Other Duties
Assist with the liaison and communication between parents, teachers, other staff and members of the wider school community.To prepare teaching aides as required.
Yard duty supervision of students during recess and lunchtimes as per the yard duty roster and at other times as required.To support the co-ordinator of student transport and assist with the arrival and departure of students each day on the buses/taxis.
Who May Apply
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
EEO AND OHS Commitment
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.
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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/protect/Pages/childsafestandards.aspx
DE Values
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
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 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
