Only 24h Left: Engagement and Wellbeing Education Support

Engagement and Wellbeing Education Support

Eastern Ranges School is an F-12 specialist school for students with Autism and an Intellectual Disability located in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

The school has an enrolment of approximately 200 students. There are approximately 100 staff at the school comprising of teachers, educational support staff and a multi-disciplinary therapy team. The staff reflect a diverse, capable and committed team who strive to support the needs of our students and are the foundation of our engaging and positive community.

Facilities include age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds, therapy rooms, library, a gymnasium, sports court and pool. We also have the Depot (to develop and build work ethics and employability skills), a primary school kitchen and industry standard kitchen, Eastern Ranges Coffee Beans Café run by our barista trained students, a contemporary living centre that develops functional living skills, and a professional learning centre which supports our commitment to lifelong learning for our school and wider community.

Our school is a safe, nurturing place where students can thrive within a community bound by our values of teamwork, respect, inclusion, responsibility, achievement and optimism and driven by our shared commitment to create safe, respectful and responsible learners. These School Wide Positive Behaviour Support values underpin all aspects of school life and are evident in our interactions and practices.

Individualised programs of learning in line with the Victorian Curriculum are carefully planned and delivered to our F-9 students, with the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) available at years 10, 11 and 12.

Structured teaching is used to provide routine and predictability and to assist our students to make sense of the expectations placed upon them. We set high expectations for all, and review evidenced based practices ensuring our students receive the very best educational opportunities. Specialist teaching programs are in the curriculum areas of Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Health and Physical Education, Swimming and Music.

Teachers work in collaboration with education support staff to deliver personalised programs that meet student¿s needs. Access to learning is supported through strategies developed in collaboration with parents through a multi-disciplinary approach. The team includes Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Music Therapists, and a Psychologist.

The School is further supported by a committed and informed School Council and governing body. Collectively we work together to reach aspirational goals that define Eastern Ranges as a centre for exemplar ASD practice within the community.

Selection Criteria

SC1: What makes an effective EWES at Eastern Ranges School?

SC2: How will you demonstrate and establish positive relationships with students and staff of Eastern Ranges School?

SC3: How do your skills and experience prepare you for the EWES role at Eastern Ranges School?

SC4: How do you see the EWES role further develop over the next 12 months?

Role

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.

Responsibilities

Engagement & Wellbeing Education Support: Role Description As part of our ongoing commitment to engage students in their learning experience, ERS is committed to engage Engagement and Wellbeing Education Support (EWES). The EWES will work under the direction of the Principal, Assistant Principals, SWPBS Learning Specialist and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to create a positive climate for learning focusing on student wellbeing and staff capacity building.

Dimensions of work include:

- Perform and/or supervise tasks that are carried out in accordance with SWPBS guidelines, accepted DE practice and school policy. This may include the supervision and coordination of other education support staff within the work area or educational program.

- Supervision and coordination to ensure routine tasks are performed to required standards.

- Input into identifying training needs and development of education support staff related to the positive engagement and wellbeing of students and staff.

- Specialised support and accountability to achieve the goals of our AIP related specifically to creating a positive climate for learning for students and staff.

- Provide support to teachers, education support staff and students that promotes positive engagement and enhances wellbeing.

- Assisting staff with data collection, identification of behaviours of concern, development of strategies and behaviour support plans, implementation and review.

- As part of a team undertake the role of Team Teach Trainer to deliver relevant and up to date training to staff at ERS as required, under the direction of the SWPBS Learning Specialist, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, Assistant Principals and Principal.

- Supervision of students individually or in small groups, in controlled circumstances, where the responsibility for students remains clearly with a teacher, may be necessary. Support students with specific social and emotional needs to engage with school.

- Facilitate support for teachers when working with students at risk of disengaging from school. As required, contribute to the development of high-quality programs that promote wellbeing and engagement throughout the school.

- Facilitate intensive support for students with specific social, emotional and educational needs through school-based interventions and case management as required. Assess, plan and intervene in wellbeing programs for students with specific social, emotional, and educational needs who are at risk of disengaging from school.

- Advise the SWPBS LS, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader and Principal Class of any critical incidents impacting upon a student¿s wellbeing in a timely manner.

- Adhere to all relevant policies as set by Eastern Ranges School. If required, attend relevant student support group meetings.

- Report any concerns to PCO and if required, to relevant external services such as Child First or Child Protection within a timely manner.

- Work as a member of the Engagement and Wellbeing Team, adhering to the agreed protocols.

- Attend Engagement & Wellbeing and Staff meetings as required. Promote student rights, engagement and wellbeing.

- Exemplifies the Eastern Ranges School four SWPBS expectations and ensure that all practises align with these four expectations:

- Safe: will this enhance student and staff safety?

- Respectful: will this enhance relationships with students, staff, families and the community?

- Responsible: are we meeting our legal and ethical responsibilities?

- Learner: are students and/or staff teaching/learning?

Who May Apply

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

Diversity and Inclusion

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, 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 safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines ).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au

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.

Child Safe Standards

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:

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:

- 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.

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 who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.

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.

Conditions of Employment

- 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

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