Education Support - Teacher Aide

GLENALLEN SCHOOL PROFILE

Glenallen School, located at 7 Allen Street, Glen Waverley, provides individual learning programs for students aged between 4.8 and 18 years, who have a physical disability and/or significant health impairment requiring paramedical support. The school caters for students with a wide range of intellectual abilities. Current students have complex needs and often multiple disabilities.

Trans-disciplinary teams including teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists work together to plan, implement and evaluate individual student focused learning programs. Other support staff includes a music therapist, nurses, community wellbeing officer, program assistants and disability support workers.

Our aim is to provide for the development of each student intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally. Individual educational and therapeutic programs are designed to promote student achievement as well as maximising independence in functional activities of daily living. Each student is encouraged to be an active participant in their individual learning program.

SC1 An interest or experience in working with students with a physical disability and/or severe health impairment

SC2 Demonstrated capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students

SC3 Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, therapists, education

SC4 A commitment to professional learning and growth.

SC5 Demonstrated knowledge of safe lifting practices, transfers, use of specific peripheral devices to access technology and Augmentative and Alternate Communication (AAC) systems

Undertakes routine tasks that are usually 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.

Work has little scope for deviation. Problems can usually be solved by reference to well documented procedures and instructions and clearly established practices.  Deviation from established procedures will require reference to others for guidance and direction.  Assistance is readily available when problems arise.  An experienced employee at range 1 will exercise limited judgement within clearly defined guidelines and well established practices that relate specifically to the tasks performed.

Does not carry responsibility for the work of others.  More experienced employees will provide basic guidance and advice to others relating to tasks within the work area.

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.

Qualification requirements do not operate at range 1.  Certification requirements may be required to legally perform specific tasks - e.g. driver's licence, first aid, safe food handling.

ROLE STATEMENT

Education Support Staff level 1-1 work as Program Assistants at Glenallen School.

Program Assistants work collaboratively with teachers, therapists, students, parents and the wider community in a professional manner. Program assistants will support educational programs by providing one to one or small group assistance as instructed by the transdisciplinary team (e.g. teacher or therapist) and will work to ensure that all students experience success and achieve their individual goals.

Specifically Program Assistants will:

- Have an interest in working with school aged children with physical and multiple disabilities and/or health impairments.

- Assist students on an individual or group basis towards achieving specific learning outcomes.

- Under the direction of the teacher, actively assist with the supervision of students, when on duty, at camps, on excursions, in sport activities, swimming, therapy activities, community access. eg. mealtime assistance.

- Provide basic physical, personal and emotional care of students.

- Maintain confidentiality at all times both within and outside the school community.

- Be flexible and willing to undertake a diverse range of routine tasks, particularly where the day to day duties may vary considerably.

- Assist in the preparation of student equipment and perform basic maintenance of program resources. For example: therapy, specialist and class equipment etc.

- Identify professional development and training needs and Occupational Health and Safety issues.

- Participate in the Performance and Development Program each year.

- Perform other such duties as may be directed by the school Principal

-    Assist students on an individual or group basis in specific learning areas.
-    Assist with the communication between students and teachers, particularly the interpretation of instructions.
-    Provide basic physical and emotional care for students.
-    Participate in team meetings.
-    Assist with toileting, meals, lifting, and administration of medication to students requiring special care.
-    Assist with the supervision of pupils in playgrounds, at camps, on excursions, in sporting activities, therapy activities and life skills.
-    Assist in the preparation of student resources and equipment.
-    Prepare basic curriculum support resources.
-    Set up and put away equipment and materials in support of teaching programs.
-    Observe students and draw the attention of the teacher to them where necessary.
-    Participate in the monitoring and evaluation of programs and evaluation of individual student involvement and achievement.
-    Assist with communication between teachers and non-English speaking parents/students.
-    Assist in the translation of documents.
-    Assist students with the preparation and service of meals.
-    Ensure work areas and materials, equipment and appliances are maintained in a clean and ready to use condition.
-    Assist in the preparation of equipment and purchasing of materials and supplies as required.

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

The Department values diversity and is committed to workforce diversity and equal opportunity in schools and all education workplaces. 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

Hours of duty for this position is 9.00am to 1.15pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

• 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.