AddressJacana School for Autism currently caters for 224 students and is located off the Western Ring Road close to public transport, Broadmeadows Shopping Centre, Broadmeadows Leisure Centre and the Hume Global Learning Centre/Library. The school commenced operation in January 2013 as a specialist school that exclusively addresses the educational and social needs of students with an autism spectrum disorder. Many students also present with a range of associated disabilities and conditions. Students are aged between 5 and 18 years and travel to the school from a wide geographical area.
The site has a range of well-maintained, secure and engaging playgrounds. Students also access local parks, playgrounds and indoor play centres under staff supervision. Facilities include a multipurpose room, occupational therapy rooms, visual arts room, music room and two student kitchens.
The school is divided into 3 sub schools – Primary, Middle and Secondary – each is led and managed by a Leading Teacher. Classes generally comprise of small flexible groups of 8 to 14 students, according to age (stages of schooling), ability and the individual needs of the students. Each class is taught by combination of teachers and teacher aides. Teachers and teacher aides work in partnership for the benefit of the students. Teachers are responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of all classroom activities and individual student programs while maintaining an autism friendly classroom.
The school employs two Teaching and Learning Coaches who support the effective implementation of ASD practice and Positive Behaviour Support across the school. Specialist programs include Health & Physical Education; The Arts (Visual and Music); The Technologies (Food Technology and Design), and are provided across the school. A therapy team of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and an educational psychologist supports the work of the classroom team. Jacana School for Autism currently has 3.0 principal class, 7.2 EFT leading teachers, 41 EFT teacher class staff, 50 EFT education support staff, 4 EFT speech pathologists, 3.0 EFT occupational therapists and 0.4 social worker.
Jacana School for Autism has an administration team of 4.8 which supports the day – to - day running of the school, and a maintenance staff member who ensures that the grounds and buildings are well maintained.
Staff are encouraged to belong to professional network groups. Close relationships have been developed between network schools and nearby mainstream schools into which our students are integrated.
ENROLMENT
Students who attend Jacana School for Autism must meet the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) eligibility criteria for autism, as determined by the Department of Education and Early Childhood. Once eligibility has been established and the Department has approved students” applications for PSD funding, enrolment may proceed.
The effects of autism vary on each individual student's day-to-day learning, communication and behaviour. The impairment may range from mild to severe. Students may or may not have an intellectual disability which also impacts on their learni
SCHOOL VISION
Jacana School for Autism fosters resilience and lifelong learning, enabling students to be active participants in family and community life.
PURPOSE
The school continually implements highly customised teaching and learning programs to ensure all students access an inclusive curriculum using evidence informed practice in a safe and supportive environment. Students are supported by a committed professional multi-disciplinary team, focused on recognising and developing individual personal and educational potential
PEDAGOGICAL PHILOSOPHY
Jacana School for Autism believes that to succeed in the world, students need to develop the capacity to:
- Manage themselves as individuals and in their relations to others.
- Understand the world in which they live, and act effectively in their wider community
Jacana School for Autism provides:
- A curriculum that supports the individual needs of students, using specific teaching strategies that cater to students on the Autism Spectrum.
- Personalised Learning Plans to cater for specific learning needs and styles, focusing on communication, social /interpersonal skills, personal learning and academic skills.
- A safe and secure environment that enhances students’ self-esteem and respects students’ dignity.
- School wide implementation of the Positive Behaviour Support program.
- Regular participation in the wider community.
Jacana School for Autism includes:
- Individual and small group instruction.
- Speech therapy consultation.
- Occupational therapy consultation.
- Psychology consultation.
- Ongoing professional development for staff.
- Programs that are informed by current research and evidence based practice.
CURRICULUM
The JSA curriculum:
- Reflects current educational reform at an international, national and state level, and is informed by the principles and practices of inclusive education.
- Supports inclusive education and the rights of every student to participate in, or have access to, the full range of programs and services offered by the education system on the same basis as their non-disabled peers.
- Provides an inclusive curriculum so teachers can equip all students with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to help them succeed in a world that is increasingly complex, rapidly changing and rich in information and communications technology.
JSA uses a range of standard curriculum options to develop and provide education programs that are meaningful for all students including:
- Victorian Curriculum F-10
- Advance program
- Senior secondary programs Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), Certificate of Individual Achievement and Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools.
Teachers are trained in autism specific pedagogy and work in accordance with the school based ASD specific PoLT document. Both the curriculum and teacher practice are informed by current research and are evidence based.
STUDENT PROGRESS
To assess student progress, JSA uses an integrated approach to assessment across a number of learning areas. In assessing students, teachers will:
- Collect a variety of evidence through using a range of strategies.
- Consider alternative or authentic ways in which students can demonstrate achievement based on the goals developed in their PLSP.
The Abilities Based Learning and Education Support (ABLES) program is completed for all students during Semester 1 and Semester 2 of each year. ABLES is used to describe skills and abilities that teachers have observed in everyday school and classroom contexts, and during interactions with other students; moderation is completed to support the accuracy of the assessments.
Termly Student Support Group (SSG) meetings provide an important focus for reporting to parents. Each semester, student reports share student learning progress with parents, identify the areas of strength, and outline areas for improvement in future learning.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Jacana School for Autism provides comprehensive induction and on-going professional learning programs for all members of staff. All teachers participate in a comprehensive program of professional learning and a suite of implementation supports. They attend weekly Professional Learning Communities and Professional Practice sessions. PLC instructional leaders lead teams to collaboratively focus on the core work of improving instruction and student outcomes.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jacana School for Autism offers regular Community Learning Hub (CLH) meetings. At these meetings the community are provided with opportunities to attend presentations by members of staff as well as informally socialise. Parents/carers are encouraged to join the volunteer program as well as to participate in the parent/carer led Fundraising Committee (FRC). The home/school partnership is highly valued by everyone in the JSA commun
KSC1 - Well-developed 1-1 counselling/therapeutic skills when working with primary-secondary age students and experience in case management.
KSC2 - Demonstrated awareness and understanding of the issues encountered by young people and the ability to work alongside and support those who are experiencing barriers to education, training and employment.
KSC3 - Demonstrated ability to provide information, advice and support to staff, families and external professionals who are supporting/working with students experiencing difficulties with their social and emotional wellbeing.
KSC4 - Demonstrated ability to understand, empathise with and support students in a variety of challenging personal situations, through a good understanding of trauma and child and adolescent development.
KSC5 - Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.
KSC6 - Demonstrate a commitment to professional learning and growth relating to your role and in line with the school’s vision.
KSC7 - Knowledge and understanding of Child Safe Standards.
Range 3 is distinguished by the introduction of management responsibility and accountability for the delivery of professional support services. The role will usually impact beyond the work area or professional field. It seeks to gain cooperation of other staff members or members of the school community to achieve specific objectives, such as in school administration, operations or educational programs.
Direction on targets and goals is provided but the position will have some degree of latitude in determining how they are achieved. This latitude will generally be limited by standard procedures and school policy. Deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
The provision of business management responsibilities becomes a feature at range 3. Management of staff to achieve the expected outcomes is a key responsibility. Staff management issues will be resolved with minimal reference to senior management, although guidance will be required in more complex cases. Senior management will be provided with timely reports and advice, although this will generally be confined to matters relating to the immediate work area, service provision or educational program and is unlikely to impact substantially on whole of school operations.
This is the minimum range for positions that carry a mandatory qualification requirement of not less than four years. Professional student support positions become a feature at range 3 (e.g. therapists, psychologists) where standard professional services are delivered. Professional support and guidance will be close at hand and deviation from standard procedures and school policy will require guidance and direction from senior management.
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.
- Manage the design and production of school publications and documents.
- Provide professional student support services, e.g. therapist and psychological and counselling services.
- Provide strategic advice on specific support services and their impact on students, school curriculum and services.
- Manage the use of and access to school resource and reference material.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Officer will have a Diploma of Community Services or Diploma of Youth Work.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Officer will be responsible for supporting students who are identified by the Student Support Team as requiring support from Tier two or Tier three interventions. They will work under the direction of the Mental Health Practitioner to:
- Facilitate small group tier two interventions to support students Mental Health and overall wellbeing
- Provide support to individual students to implement Mental Health support plan, Mental Health safety plans or any other intervention recommended by the MHP.
- To work with Classroom teams to model effective implementation of Mental Health strategies and support the fidelity of the interventions recommended by the MHP.
- To provide feedback to the MHP/Welfare Team regarding the effectiveness of interventions and any challenges which are impacting the student
- Maintain Professional Notes regarding the allocated caseload
- To engage in professional learning to increase knowledge of student Mental Health and wellbeing and maintain best practise standards.
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
Please ensure that your application includes:
- a resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
- a section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
- names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees
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.
- 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
