School Occupational Therapist

Join a purpose-driven team reimagining education through therapeutic engagement and holistic support for young people across Melbourne. **Multi Campus Position

Start Date: Term 1 January 2026 About the School**

Hester Hornbrook Academy is an independent, Special Assistance School that delivers flexible, inclusive education for young people aged 15–25 across multiple campuses in Greater Melbourne. Our school provides "Wellbeing for Learning and Learning for Wellbeing," supported by our trauma-informed HOPE (Healing Oriented Program of Education) model.

We support students who face significant barriers to traditional education, offering a safe, respectful, and engaging environment that integrates academic learning with wellbeing and life skills. Through VPC (Victorian Pathways Certificate), VM (VCE Vocational Major), and VETiS (Vocational Education and Training in Schools), we help our students thrive, and we are growing.

Position Purpose (abridged; full details in Job Description)The School Occupational Therapist's role purpose is to:

• Collaborate directly with students across all campuses, fostering inclusive practices that empower learners with diverse needs to fully participate and thrive in their educational environments.
• Design, facilitate and review both one-on-one and group-based interventions that identify students strengths and focus on key developmental areas.
• Conduct thorough assessments to identify students capabilities and barriers to engagement.

Position Duties and Responsibilities (abridged; full details in Job Description)

• Conduct formal assessments and observations to support in the overall clinical assessment around individual students' strengths, areas for growth and overall individual goals.
• Provide expertise to classroom teams by developing, implementing and reviewing tailored interventions for individual students.
• Maintain a caseload and provide direct, individualised therapy to students with complex needs.
• Apply an understanding of our HOPE (Healing Orientated Program of Education) to support students in a way that allows them to Engage, Equip, Empower and Extend.

Key Selection Criteria (abridged; full details in Job Description)

• Tertiary Qualification in Occupational Therapy and fully registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and hold a minimum 3 years' experience.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience preferably in a school environment or working with adolescents who experience barriers to engaging in education.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting comprehensive, evidence-informed assessments and producing high-quality reports that articulate student strengths and individualised strategies to overcome educational barriers, and factors affecting engagement and participation in school settings.
• Skilled in communicating trends and insights clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, using both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Proven experience leading evaluation, strategy, and learning processes that align with Hester strategic goals and support continuous improvement in the school.

Essential Requirements: Professional knowledge

• An understanding key stakeholder engagement and management
• Ability to demonstrate the core skills, knowledge and application of concepts, techniques, resources to perform this role.

Professional practice

• Organisation and preparedness to execute tasks and manage complex, challenging or competing agendas, priorities and or tasks
• Ability to demonstrate adherence to the shared expectations of the organisation including duty of care obligations under law. knowledge in the application of trauma informed practices, OH&S laws, safeguarding of young people and HOPE.
• Ability to use technology and resources to effectively perform the role. Ability to receive feedback openly, analyse data and apply critical thinking to evaluate short- and long-term consequences when decision making.

Professional engagement

• Demonstrates an interest in developing competence, skill and knowledge of their profession and keep abreast of information, knowledge and practices to meet this role.
• Applied the principles of code of ethics and demonstrates understanding of the relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and process required of the organisation and their profession.
• Is a team player, welcomes team contribution and builds and fosters relationships that embrace collaboration, consultation and empowerment.

Essential Safety Screening Requirements
• Proof of Identity Check

• National Police check

• International Police check

• Current Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee)

• Other Professional Registration (eg VIT, AHPRA, etc.)

• Current Victorian Drivers Licence

• Right to work in Australia

Application ProcessFor a confidential discussion, enquiries about the application process, or to request the Job Description please contact:Will Yates l Direct E:will..educationApplications to include a Cover Letter which highlights how you have previously assisted a young person to improve their wellbeing outcomes which has resulted in success in educational outcomes, leading to learning for wellbeing and a current CV with referees.  

Applications should be emailed to:Will Yates, Permanent Opportunities Consultant -

E: will..educationHester Hornbrook Academy reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Hester Hornbrook Academy's/MCM's strategy is to create a working environment in which we have zero tolerance for compromised worker safety. As an employer we endeavour to provide a working environment that is safe for all employees and clients and adheres to Occupational Health & Safety regulations as an employer.