Speech Therapist

Melton Specialist School, with an enrolment of 280 students, provides educational programs for students with disabilities at both primary and secondary levels in a positive, caring and safe environment. It is a dual mode setting, catering for students with mild through to severe intellectual disabilities. Students are transported to our school via bus or family transport. The school is closely located to other schools as well as a variety of community retail spaces, leisure and recreational facilities. Our school environment is comprised of traditional classrooms, specialist and vocational training classrooms, therapy spaces, toileting facilities and indoor sensory areas. Our grounds feature natural gardens, purpose built outdoor sensory areas, playground equipment, sports facilities, covered walkways and a Liberty swing. Teachers and Educational Support staff make extensive use of a wide variety of resources to ensure all students have an educational journey that is positive and successful. Our school’s philosophy and programs are based upon the belief that children learn best in a co-operative environment that is safe, challenging and supportive with a school-wide focus on Positive Behaviour Support. We provide programs in Arts, Literacy, Physical Education, Numeracy, Information Technology, Science and Life Skills. Senior students also have the option of accessing a VCAL or ASDAN programs which aim to develop work related skills, travel education and personal development skills. Student Support Group meetings involving staff, parents, carers and our Allied Health team are held twice yearly to formulate individual learning goals based on each student’s ability, strengths and needs.

In 2018, a major rebuild of the administration, therapy and multipurpose hall will occur. This is the first stage of a four-stage rebuilding project. Through our Improvement plans, the school aims to develop a change in the culture of the school where roles are clarified, structures and processes are developed and embedded, and an expectation on consistent practice and developing expertise is expected in all staff.

SC1 Ability to deliver a comprehensive speech pathology service to students and families in an educational environment, including speech and language assessments, reports that support the Program for Students with Disabilities, individual and group therapy, reporting and the provision of advice on program delivery to support the achievements of students individual learning goals.

SC2 Experience working with children and adolescents with complex communication needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder and other congenital disorders.

SC3 Capacity to work as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary professional team and contribute significantly to the achievements of the team.

SC4 Ability to design and deliver professional learning, preferably for teachers and other relevant professionals, in the area of language and communication.

SC5 Excellent communication, time management, networking and interpersonal skills.

Provide speech pathology services to students with a wide range of disabilities within an educational setting.

Conduct assessments of students in areas such as, communication, alternative and augmentative communication, speech, language, swallowing/meal times and social/behavioural needs.

Assess individual students and write reports that support the Program for Students with Disabilities.

Design, implement and evaluate programs in collaboration with teachers, parents/carers according to student's individual needs and based on developmental level and age appropriateness. 

Demonstrate and model excellent teaching and learning strategies, which will assist teachers to facilitate a high level of success with students with additional needs.

Document, record and accurately report on student involvement, evaluate progress and make recommendations for future programming. 

Provide information about special access equipment and physical barriers within the school environment as required by staff, parents/carers.

Assist with the supervision of students in the playground, on excursions and during therapy sessions. Be an active member of the Allied Health Team. 

Attend meetings e.g. staff, sub-school, team and student support group as required.

Manage the Speech Therapy Resources. 

Provide a speech pathology service that includes conducting individual assessments, providing assessment reports and advice about relevant teaching and learning strategies, planning and implementing therapeutic programs through individual, small group and whole class settings.

Liaising with parents regarding their children's communication difficulties and remedial program options.

Consulting with teachers and assistants to assist with the integration of communication programs within the classroom to support children and adolescents with complex communication needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder, behavioral and other congenital disorders.

Working with other therapist including Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist to plan and implement eating and drinking programs.

In-service staff and parents on speech language programs and initiatives.

Assessment and report writing for individual students for funding under the PSDMS program.

Working with students using communication devices including ICT based apps and classroom programs.

Approved qualifications in Speech Pathology that are acceptable for membership to Speech Pathology Australia, Including a University degree. 

The successful applicant must hold a current employee working with childrens check.

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

- 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 

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