Speech Therapist - time fraction negotiable

Location Profile

Established in 2015, Wyndham Vale Primary School is located in the vibrant city of Wyndham, west of Melbourne. Our school community is richly diverse, representing a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, with approximately 60 different languages spoken by our students' families. Situated within Melbourne's rapidly growing corridor, our school has experienced significant expansion since its inception, currently enrolling around 1,100 students.

At Wyndham Vale Primary School, we are committed to implementing best practice frameworks that all staff are expected to embrace. These consistent, school-wide approaches promote positive behaviour, high expectations, and foster a respectful, responsible, honest and inclusive learning environment. Together, these strategies aim to support cohesive teaching practices across all classrooms and are central to achieving our vision of Success for All in Learning and Wellbeing.

Our school operates under a sub-school model, divided into three cohorts: Foundation to Year 2, Years 3 to 4, and Years 5 to 6. Each sub-school is led by a dedicated leadership team, including an Assistant Principal and Leading Teachers and Learning Specialists, who provide guidance and support to students, staff, and families to ensure success.

We are proud to have a comprehensive wellbeing team, led by a Wellbeing Assistant Principal. This team includes a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL) and a group of allied health professionals such as psychologists and social workers, all dedicated to supporting through a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) the holistic wellbeing of our school community 

All teaching staff actively participate in highly effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), collaborating regularly to share best practices, analyse student data, and refine instructional strategies. While students remain in their own classrooms with assigned teachers, staff share collective responsibility for all students across their cohort through their PLC work.

Wyndham Vale Primary School boasts extensive facilities and resources designed to enrich student learning. Our students participate in weekly specialist programs in Physical Education, The Arts, and Languages Other Than English (LOTE), with Auslan as our language offering. ICT is seamlessly integrated across all learning areas, supported by a school-funded technology device program. Our campus features a full-sized oval, large gymnasium, outdoor hard courts, sandpits, extensive play equipment, and a well-resourced library. Additionally, an Out of School Hours Care provider offers before and after school care services every school day.

Wyndham Vale Primary School holds a strong and respected position within the local community. We encourage passionate educators who are committed to advancing our vision and delivering the best possible outcomes for our students and wider community to apply.

Selection Criteria

SC1   Development and delivery of a comprehensive speech pathology service and a capacity to work across all areas of the school with students who have moderate to severe language delays and concerns.

SC2   A sound knowledge of evidence-based speech pathology techniques and the ability to develop, provide and evaluate speech pathology services and provide speech advice on appropriate intervention strategies.

SC3   Demonstrated ability to administer appropriate language assessment and provide advice to staff and families on program delivery and follow up.

SC4   Demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a range of professionals, teachers and parents on service delivery and student-based issues.

SC5   Experience in the design and delivery of professional learning activities in the areas of language and communication for teachers and other educational professionals.

SC6   A sound knowledge and experience in the use of a range of Alternative and Augmentative Communication systems (both low- and high-technology systems) and the implementation of AAC best practice.

Role

Range 4 is distinguished by broader management responsibility, particularly in the areas of finance, human resource and other support functions.  Range 4 is responsible for managing a range of functions under a wide range of conditions, subject to the size and complexity of school operations. 

Objectives will, generally, be clearly defined; guidelines will be broad and day-to-day direction minimal.  Management responsibility extends to ensuring appropriate support levels are maintained across the school.  Range 4 generally provides key support and timely advice to the leadership team and school council and liaises with the general school community, the Department and other government agencies and service providers.

Specialised professional roles will carry a high level of independence and accountability where suitable scope is provided to achieve objectives.

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 employees 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

A Speech Therapist provides high level support addressing the therapy needs of individuals and groups of students.  The Speech Therapist works closely with the Disability Inclusion Coordinator and the student wellbeing team, led by the Wellbeing Assistant Principal.

• To provide assessment, therapy program implementation, and ongoing evaluation, for an allocated caseload of children attending Wyndham Vale Primary School.
• To resource and support staff in their use of appropriate communication strategies as an integral part of their school program.

• To liaise with school staff, and families, where appropriate regarding the child¿s progress to ensure that the individual needs are appropriately met. 

• To design and deliver professional learning activities conducted by the Wellbeing department for the benefit of teaching staff.

• To participate in meetings with therapy and educational staff as required.
• To recommend appropriate equipment and resources for student¿s use in the school / home / community environment where appropriate.
• To liaise with appropriate professional bodies to enhance development of professional skills.

• To provide feedback when required to Leadership regarding service delivery. 

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 *******@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:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

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

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