Selection Criteria

Context
The Disability Inclusion reform agenda announced in the 2020/21 State Budget will invest more than $1.5 billion into the Victorian Education system over four years. This investment will support the Department of Education (the Department) to further improve outcomes for schools and students with disability and diverse learning needs. A key initiative under the reform is the Inclusion Outreach Coaching initiative, which supports schools to implement inclusive practices, guided by Inclusion Outreach Coaches (Learning Specialists).
Classification
Teacher Class (Learning Specialist) - Range 3
The successful applicant will be a highly skilled classroom practitioner who continues to spend the majority of their time in schools and classrooms delivering high-quality teaching and learning and have a range of responsibilities related to their expertise, including teaching demonstration lessons, observing and providing feedback to other teachers and facilitating school-based professional learning. Learning Specialist class employees are expected to have deep knowledge and expertise in high quality teaching and learning in delivering improved achievement, engagement and wellbeing for students. The role of the Learning Specialist will be to model excellence in teaching and learning through demonstration lessons, and mentoring and coaching teachers in improving the skill, knowledge and effectiveness of the teaching workforce.
For more information on the responsibilities of a Learning Specialist Range 3 employee, please visit:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/industrial-agreements/resources

Role

Inclusion Outreach Coaches are based in specialist schools and partner with mainstream schools for defined periods, to provide coaching support to school leadership and staff aimed at strengthening inclusive practices. Coaches partner with the schools to increase their capability to implement preventative, evidence-based strategies that benefit all students. Together, the coach and school use data to identify a goal to work towards and plan and monitor for improvement and sustainability. Coaches collaborate with Departmental regional team members in a team-based response to the identified need. There is an emphasis on Tier 1 preventative, system change practices. Coaches do not work directly with students or provide individual student support. Coaches will undertake training to support schools in data-based decision making and using a Multi-tiered System of Supports. Coaches use a hybrid delivery model, so travel will be required.

Responsibilities

Additional Area Responsibilities
Operating in collaboration with the Department's Area teams, this role will also have the following Area responsibilities:

• Using rigorous problem-solving procedures to identify and respond to school and school-based staff need; and coaching others to do so.
• Delivering both inclusion in-reach and outreach models of support to ensure the adoption and effective implementation of inclusive practices across a range of school settings.
• Collecting, analysing and using data effectively to monitor and report the measurable impact of the inclusion in/outreach practices being implemented in collaboration with the Regional Inclusion Outreach Coordinator.
• Partnering and collaborating with other coaches and workforces within the Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion and School Improvement teams in a multidisciplinary approach.
• Maintaining connectedness and capability support within the hiring specialist school (equivalent to one day per week) through:

Who May Apply

Required
Applicants must:

• Currently hold registration or be eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.

Desirable

• A graduate or postgraduate qualification in special/inclusive education and/or disability.
• Experience in, or understanding across various school settings.
• Demonstrated experience in inclusive education.
• Demonstrated experience working with students with disabilities and diverse learning needs.

Other Relevant Information

• A current driver's licence is mandatory, and a capacity to access private transport with approved comprehensive insurance cover.
• Successful applicants are subject to a satisfactory criminal record check prior to employment. New DE employees are required to meet the cost of the criminal record check.

Please ensure that your application includes:

• A section that addresses the key selection criteria.
• A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, email and telephone numbers.)
• Names and contact details (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.

EEO AND OHS Commitment

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.
The Department of Education 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. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au

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

Other Information

Inclusion Outreach Coaches are based in specialist schools and partner with mainstream schools for defined periods, to provide coaching support to school leadership and staff aimed at strengthening inclusive practices. Coaches partner with the schools to increase their capability to implement preventative, evidenced-based strategies that benefit all students. Together, the coach and school use data to identify a goal to work towards and plan and monitor for improvement and sustainability. Coaches collaborate with Departmental regional team members in a team-based response to the identified need. There is an emphasis on Tier 1 preventative, system change practices. Coaches do not work directly with students or provide individual student support. Coaches will undertake training to support schools in data-based decision making and Multi-tiered Systems of Support. Coaches use a hybrid delivery model, so travel will may be required. To be eligible to apply you must have a current Working with Children Check and drivers licence.

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

VIT LANTITE

To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class a person must have provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching. In addition, from 3 August 2020, to be eligible for employment in the principal class or teacher class, a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education program after 1 July 2016, must demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements. This condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian Initial Teacher Education program completed by the person.

Location Profile

Established in 1962, Belmore School is a specialist school catering for students who have a physical disability and/or significant health impairment requiring paramedical support.

Belmore School has a highly qualified and extremely experienced teaching team passionate about providing an optimum learning environment for our students. Supported by small class sizes and an extensive education support team, teachers are able to provide innovation and best practice in teaching and learning to enable each student to achieve their full potential. This comprehensive educational team is supplemented by highly skilled Pathology staff including physiotherapist, speech therapists, occupational therapist and music therapist. Our staff are committed to delivering high quality learning programs through a multidisciplinary approach. Additional support programs are provided by our school nurse, psychotherapist, and social worker. An attendant care team supports the personal care requirements of students in a sensitive manner in private, well- resourced facilities.

Belmore School provides a comprehensive professional and the NDIS to enrich our students learning opportunities. We proudly acknowledge our ability and passion to embed best practice in specialist education throughout our school and accept the responsibility for sharing our expertise through the provision of a range of professional learning opportunities for professionals, parents and students.