Occupational Therapist

Frankston Special Developmental School (SDS) is a unique dual campus School. The main Frankston Campus located in Karingal in the outer southern suburbs of Melbourne, while the residential outdoor Blackwood Campus is in the small township of Blackwood, 80km north-west of Melbourne and 140km from our Frankston Campus.

The School

The following values are seen as being central to the life of the school and how all members in the school community should conduct themselves: Sharing, Caring, Respect and Individuality.  The school vision statement Learning for life is the focus of all programs conducted at Frankston SDS.

Our school is committed to child safety, and it is a requirement that all of those working with children have an understanding of our Child Safe Code of Conduct and methods of identifying and following up suspected abuse.

Measurable goals are devised and progress is monitored throughout the year in all areas to ensure improved outcomes for the students.

Frankston Campus

The Campus has well equipped facilities for the students including: nineteen classrooms, a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, homecrafts room, art and craft room, computer lab and extensive play equipment. The school has recently undergone a significant renovation.

Frankston Campus provides a specialised and challenging curriculum for 125 school aged students with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. The school challenges students to do their best in a supportive and engaging environment.

Students learn in active, practical and meaningful ways and the school aims to develop each child’s ability academically, socially physically and emotionally. Our staff are dedicated, qualified professionals who are experienced in working with children with special, varied and often complex needs to provide the best education, self-esteem and independence building opportunities for the students. All staff model positive behaviour to students consistent with the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support Framework.

The Individualised Learning Programs created at Frankston aim to develop social competencies, communication and independence. They are implemented and monitored by a team of dedicated staff which includes teachers, teacher assistants, four speech therapists, a social worker, an Occupational Therapist, a chaplain and a physiotherapist.

Our Frankston Campus also provides an Early Education Program for pre-school aged students who exhibit significant global developmental delay. The Early Education Program operates out of the East Karingal Kindergarten. It is an inclusive program; our staff and students working together with their mainstream colleagues and friends.

SC1. Demonstrated capacity to support the classroom teacher to deliver educational programs to students with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours.

SC2. Demonstrated capacity to deliver an occupational therapy program to students with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities.

SC3. Demonstrated capacity to effectively work as a member of a team establishing positive relationships with colleagues and students.

SC4. Demonstrated capacity to apply knowledge obtained from professional learning including feedback from colleagues to support student learning

Range 4 is distinguished by broader management responsibility, particularly in the areas of finance, human resource and other support functions.  Range 4 is responsible for managing a range of functions under a wide range of conditions, subject to the size and complexity of school operations.

Objectives will, generally, be clearly defined; guidelines will be broad and day-to-day direction minimal.  Management responsibility extends to ensuring appropriate support levels are maintained across the school.  Range 4 generally provides key support and timely advice to the leadership team and school council and liaises with the general school community, the Department and other government agencies and service providers.

Specialised professional roles will carry a high level of independence and accountability where suitable scope is provided to achieve objectives.

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 delivery of support services to students, teachers, parents and other school clients.

    Ensure all external providers deliver the required service.

    In consultation with the Principal, teaching staff and a Speech Pathologist plan, develop, deliver and evaluate Occupational Therapy services to students with Intellectual Disabilities.

    Assist and participate in the development of policies, strategies, processes and procedures for the effective delivery of Occupational Therapy services to students.

    In line with the school’s planning framework identify priorities for students through a Trans disciplinary approach.

    A demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and the capacity to reflect critically upon professional practice relevant to special schools.

    Supervise and participate in professional training of staff in areas pertinent to the role of an Occupational Therapist.

    Maintain appropriate records and provide written and oral reports as required

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

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.  It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants can contact Brett West, Yamatji man, in the Koorie Outcomes Division to talk about the recruitment process, the Department and supports for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Department. Mobile: 0477 726 *** or email on: **********@education.vic.gov.au

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:

 Child Safe Standards: Policy | education.vic.gov.au

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DE’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DE’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 DE values is available at:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

• 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

• 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