KSC 1:  Capacity and experience to undertake routine support tasks across a range of functions in one or more work areas within a special school environment.

KSC 2:  Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with members of the school community including students and the capacity to provide support and/or attendant care to students where necessary.

KSC 3:  Demonstrated proficiency in the use of office systems, software or technical equipment as relevant to the position.

KSC 4:  Capacity to work cooperatively with a range of people including teachers, education support staff, students and parents.

KSC 5: A commitment to professional learning and growth.

The Role of the Education Support Staff at Ballarat Specialist School:

• Be acquainted with and effectively carry out the responsibilities of the position as set out in the relevant position description.
• Seek feedback on performance and continue to improve knowledge and skills.
• Act in a professional manner with colleagues, students and parents/carers as appropriate.
• Promote a safe and supportive school environment.
• Assist with the toileting, meals, lifting and administration of medication for students requiring special care.
• Undertake training and provide support in managing challenging behaviours.
• Provide medical intervention procedures as required.
• Assist with the supervision of students in playgrounds, at the bus port, during camps and excursions, during other activities such as sports, therapies, life skills training etc.
• Adhere to school protocols and our staff code of conduct.
• Participate in team meetings.
• Assist in the identification of professional development needs.

Responsibilities Of Education Support Staff At Ballarat Specialist School:

• Maintain a child safe environment at all times.
• Provide routine support for teachers.
• Communicate with teachers about routine matters.
• Assist teachers with communication with parents about routine matters.
• Provide basic physical and emotional care for students such as toileting, meals and lifting.
• Communicate with student/s about comprehension of basic tasks and information.
• Address immediate behaviour issues relating to specific students within a classroom setting.
• Assist with coordination and planning of student routines.
• Be accountable for performance of allocated tasks.

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

The Department of Education and Training is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms – gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, 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 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

The Department’s employees commit to upholding DET’s Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. DET’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 DET values is available at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/Public-Sector-Values.aspx

Our school appoints Education Support Staff who:

• Are able to work with students who have mild, moderate and profound intellectual disabilities associated with physical, social, emotional, behavioural, multiple and sensory impairments.
• Are able to assist other staff members in a specific area of the school.  These areas may be in Administration or Information Technology.
• Show a commitment to whole school life by participating in all school activities.

What can you expect from our school?

• Our school has a strong focus on assisting our students to reach their full potential.  We are committed to the development of our Education Support staff with professional development programs offered in relevant areas.
• You will be part of a vital, stimulating and challenging learning environment.  The skills you bring to this environment will be accepted and used.
• Our school has a committed School Council and we share a good relationship with our broader school community.

Preparing your application:

Applicants must hold a current type ‘E’ Working with Children Check Card.  In your application you must include both the name on your Working with Children Card and the actual card number.

Your application should persuade us that you are the best person for this position.  It does not need to be long but should help us to decide if you would fit easily into our school philosophy and learning and teaching team. If you are submitting hardcopies of your application, please provide the school with four copies of your application.

Applicants must respond to the Key Selection Criteria for this position in their application.  If you do not address the selection criteria you may not be offered an interview.

You are also requested to name two confidential referees that we can contact for further information.

Our selection process:

After the closing date, our Selection Panel will meet and consider the applications submitted by applicants.  The Panel will short list applicants for interview, interviews will be conducted and referees contacted prior to a decision being made.  During the interview you will be expected to present your current type “E” Working with Children’s Check card.

The successful applicant completes a Validation of Personal Information declaration and a Pre-Employment Health declaration.

• 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

A person is not eligible for employment in the Teaching Service unless that person meets the vaccination requirements on commencement in the position.

Ballarat Specialist School caters for students aged from 3 and 18 years who have a diagnosed intellectual disability ranging from mild to profound. The school population is drawn from the city of Ballarat and within a 30km radius of the school location.  Ballarat Specialist School is a dual-campus K-12 school organised around four stages of learning - Early Learning (Ages 3-7), Junior School (Ages 8-11), Middle School (Ages 11-15) and Senior School (Ages 16-18). Our Early Learning to Middle School students are accommodated on our main Gillies Street Campus. Our Senior School students are located at our 8.09 hectare FARM Campus in Norman Street. Our current enrolment is approximately 500 students.

Our school's mission is "Achieving Personal Success Together". We strive to enable our students and staff to reach their full potential in a safe, stimulating and flexible learning environment. Our educational programs provide a balanced and personalised curriculum where student achievement is acknowledged and celebrated.  

Our specialist programs include: Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Physical Education (PE), Health, Design Technology, Horticulture and Hospitality.  The Educational Residential Program (ERU) and the Transition to Community Living FARM units are aimed at developing home and community living skills for all our students. The school also operates two cafés open to the public. The Special Treats Café is located at our Gillies St. campus and the FARM Café is located at our Norman street FARM campus.  Through these enterprises we are able to offer our students pathways to future employment.

Individual Learning Programs (ILP’s) are implemented by classroom Teachers and Education Assistants and supported by a team of Allied Health Professionals in the areas of Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.  A Psychologist, Student Welfare Officers and a School Nurse are available to support staff, students and parents.

 Ballarat Specialist School currently employs 4 Principal Class Officers, 56 Teachers and 134 Education Support staff members, with more than 60 additional staff employed casually.