Paediatric Occupational Therapist in Ballarat

Ballarat Specialist School provides high-quality education for students aged 3 to 18 years with diagnosed intellectual disabilities ranging from mild to profound. We are a dual-campus K-12 setting structured around four stages of learning: Early Learning (3-5 years), Primary School (5-12 years), Middle School (12-15 years) and Senior School (15-18 years). Our Early Learning to Middle School programs operate from our Gillies Street Campus, while our Senior School is located at our 8.09-hectare FARM Campus in Norman Street. We currently support approximately 440 students across both sites.

Our Mission and Approach

Our mission, 'Achieving Personal Success Together,' guides everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, flexible and stimulating learning environment where both students and staff can reach their full potential. Our curriculum is personalised, balanced and designed to celebrate individual achievement. Teaching and learning at Ballarat Specialist School is grounded in the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, the Victorian Pathways Certificate, a strong focus on Literacy and Numeracy, and Individual Education Plans for every student. Our pedagogy is evidence-based and supported by a gradual release of responsibility model. Professional Learning Communities drive curriculum, assessment, inquiry and reflection across the school.

Small Class Sizes and Classroom Support

A key strength of our school is our commitment to small class sizes, ensuring students receive targeted, responsive and meaningful instruction. Each classroom is supported by Education Support (ES) staff allocated according to student need, enabling a high level of individualised attention and consistent support throughout the school day. This structure allows teachers and ES staff to work closely together to implement personalised learning goals, support communication and engagement, respond to sensory and wellbeing needs, and create safe, predictable and inclusive learning environments.

Integrated Services Team

Our comprehensive Integrated Services Team works across all areas of the school to support students in achieving their academic, functional and personalised goals. The team includes Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Allied Health Assistants, Mental Health Practitioners, NDIS-funded practitioners (in collaboration with families) and Registered Nurses. This multidisciplinary team partners with teachers, ES staff and families to embed therapeutic, communication, health and wellbeing supports into everyday learning. Their work strengthens student engagement, independence and readiness for future pathways.

Pathways and Real-World Learning

Ballarat Specialist School is committed to preparing students for meaningful, fulfilling futures. Our pathways model provides students with authentic, hands-on learning experiences that build independence, confidence and employability skills. Key pathway opportunities include school-based enterprises such as the Vintage Soul Op Shop and cafés at both campuses, Mini Woolies at Gillies Street, and accredited vocational pathways including Certificate I in Life Skills and Certificate II courses delivered onsite in partnership with local TAFE providers. Industry-aligned learning areas include Kitchen Operations, Retail, Horticulture, Visual Arts, Sport and Recreation, Music Industry and Work Skills. These programs support students to explore interests, develop practical skills and transition confidently into post-school options including supported employment, open employment, community participation and further training.

Every student has an Individual Education Plan developed through a collaborative Student Support Group involving parents and carers, external agencies, classroom teachers, education assistants and our Integrated Services Team. This ensures each student’s learning, wellbeing and communication needs are understood and supported.

Selection Criteria

• Paediatric Occupational Therapy and Functional Capacity: Demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience in the provision of Occupational Therapy services to children and young people with disability, developmental differences and/or complex functional needs, with particular emphasis on assessing and developing the functional capacities required for participation, independence and access to education.
• Functional Assessment, Task Analysis and Curriculum Access: Demonstrated ability to undertake functional assessment and task analysis to identify the physical, sensory, fine motor, cognitive, visual-perceptual, executive functioning and/or environmental factors impacting a student's ability to access and participate in learning. Demonstrated ability to use assessment findings to develop, implement and evaluate practical interventions within the student's everyday environment.
• Assistive Technology, Equipment and Task Modification: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the assessment, trial, prescription and implementation of assistive technology, specialised equipment, environmental modifications and/or task adaptations to improve student access, participation and independence.
• Collaboration, Staff Capacity Building and Classroom Practice: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with students, families/carers, teachers, Education Support staff, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Pathologists and other relevant professionals.
• Initiative, Autonomy and Innovative Practice: Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively, manage a caseload and referral priorities, and use sound clinical reasoning to identify opportunities where Occupational Therapy can improve student participation and independence.
• Evidence-Based Practice, Evaluation and Professional Communication: Demonstrated commitment to evidence-based, outcome-focused and reflective Occupational Therapy practice, including the ability to establish meaningful functional goals, evaluate intervention outcomes and adapt practice accordingly.

Role

Ballarat Specialist School is seeking a motivated and innovative Paediatric Occupational Therapist to join our multidisciplinary Allied Health Team. This position has a strong focus on functional capacity, curriculum access, task modification, assistive technology and equipment prescription. Your role will be to identify what is preventing a student from successfully participating in learning and then work alongside the student and their classroom team to find a solution.

Responsibilities

• Completing functional and occupational assessments to understand barriers to participation.
• Assessing how a student's physical, sensory, cognitive, fine motor, visual-perceptual and executive functioning skills impact curriculum access.
• Working directly within classrooms to analyse learning tasks and identify barriers to participation.
• Modifying classroom activities and learning tasks to improve accessibility.
• Recommending and prescribing assistive technology and specialised equipment.
• Supporting positioning, seating, access and functional participation within learning environments.
• Trialling equipment and strategies within the student's actual classroom environment.
• Developing individualised programs to build students' functional capacity and independence.
• Supporting fine motor, upper limb, handwriting, technology access, self-care and other functional skills where they impact participation at school.
• Delivering targeted 1:1 therapy and small-group interventions.
• Working alongside teachers and Education Support staff to embed therapeutic strategies within everyday learning.
• Providing staff training, coaching and modelling around equipment, adaptations and therapeutic strategies.
• Monitoring outcomes and progressively modifying or reducing supports as students develop greater independence.
• Collaborating closely with Physiotherapists, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, Allied Health Assistants, Teachers, Education Support staff and families.

Who May Apply

We are looking for an Occupational Therapist who is passionate about paediatrics, disability and functional participation. Skilled or interested in functional capacity assessment and intervention. Experienced or interested in assistive technology and equipment prescription. Able to analyse tasks and environments through an Occupational Therapy lens. Creative in adapting activities while preserving meaningful participation and learning. Passionate about developing independence and functional capacity. Confident working collaboratively with teachers and Education Support staff. Able to translate clinical recommendations into practical classroom strategies. Comfortable providing individual therapy, group interventions and classroom-based support. Highly organised and able to independently manage referrals and caseload priorities. Proactive and willing to identify opportunities for new programs, interventions and staff training.

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.

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.

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.