SC1: Relevant qualifications in Occupational Therapy and current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
SC2: Demonstrated experience in providing OT services in an educational setting, including individual assessments, intervention planning, and program development.
SC3: Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, supporting the capacity of teachers and education support staff.
SC4: Knowledge of and experience with the Disability Inclusion framework and a commitment to inclusive education.
SC5: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on building positive relationships with students, staff, and families.
The Occupational Therapist (OT) will support a Tier 2 and Tier 3 response, focusing on providing proactive and preventative services to enhance student participation and engagement within the school environment. The OT will work collaboratively with teachers, education support staff, and the wellbeing team to develop and implement strategies that address sensory, social, emotional, and developmental needs of students. This role will also include building the capacity of staff and ensuring consistent processes for gathering and presenting evidence for Disability Inclusion.
***Please note - This position is for 2 days a week
Individual Case Management:
- Conduct assessments, such as sensory profiles and fine/gross motor evaluations, to identify students' needs.
- Develop individual intervention plans with specific strategies to support students' participation and engagement.
- Collaborate with teachers and parents to implement strategies that support self-regulation, attention, and participation.
Small Group Interventions:
- Lead and co-facilitate small group sessions focusing on social skills development, emotional regulation, and sensory processing.
- Design activities that target specific goals and outcomes, fostering an inclusive environment where all students can succeed.
Teacher and Staff Capacity Building:
- Provide professional learning opportunities to staff to build their capacity in supporting students' diverse needs.
- Develop resources and deliver training on sensory strategies, classroom accommodations, and behaviour support.
Disability Inclusion Support:
- Assist in developing and implementing consistent processes for gathering and presenting evidence for Disability Inclusion.
- Liaise with external professionals and agencies to ensure appropriate support and documentation is in place for students who qualify under Disability Inclusion.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Work collaboratively with the Wellbeing Team, educational staff, and families to ensure a coordinated approach to student support.
- Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, maintaining accurate records and documentation.
Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.
Applicants 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. 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).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@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:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department'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 department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
- 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
Yarra Me School is a vibrant and dynamic Victorian Department of Education specialist school focused on building the social and emotional capability and wellbeing of our students so they are better equipped to engage in learning at their mainstream schools. With the main campus located in Preston and another in Hurstbridge, Yarra Me School provides services to state primary schools in the North East Metropolitan and Hume Merri-bek areas within the North Western Victoria Region.
Yarra Me School staff are typically characterised by open-mindedness and adaptability, who collaborate to ensure the child experiences personalised support. Central to all Yarra Me School programs are the 3Ps: Personalisation, Pedagogy, and Partnerships. Learner success is achieved by building student capability whilst developing the Team Around the Learner. Typically, Yarra Me School learners experience significant social, emotional, behavioural, and learning challenges. Learners, families, parents, caregivers, teachers, allied health professionals, and others work together as a team, coordinating a plan to meet the needs of the learner, and supporting them to continue to engage in, or re-engage in, education and learning. Yarra Me School refers to this approach as the `Team Around the Learner¿ through which:
- the learner and family are at the centre
- learners experience a coordinated and seamless service
- there is both an education and a social and emotional learning focus
- learning, development, and wellbeing outcomes are personalised for a student as a whole person.
All Yarra Me School programs offer a time limited service for each learner. Yarra Me School conducts an Intake Program (classroom-based), which currently caters to students in the primary Years in a short-term intervention for students exhibiting significant disengagement from learning at tier 3 level; the Positive Partnerships outreach coaching service for tier 2 & 3 level of intervention; Hurstbridge Farm program (classroom-based, Years 5-10) conducted at a DFFH residential facility; a Consultation service to primary schools; and, a professional learning service.
In 2024 the total enrolment is 45 (intake program - 18 per semester; Hurstbridge farm - 4.5 per semester). The Yarra Me Positive Partnerships provides outreach services to mainstream primary schools supporting approximately 15-25 students each Term, whilst the Consultation service supports approximately 30 students each semester. Yarra Me School delivers programs predominantly for primary aged students.
VISION
We are deeply passionate champions for positive and respectful relationships, inclusive learning environments, and resilient people.
MISSION
We provide valued and respected programs that collaboratively deliver personalised, evidence-based trauma and social and emotional learning practices that support life-long learning for families, schools and students.
Please see www.yarrame.vic.edu.au.
