Behaviour Support in Melbourne

Nganboo Borron School is located at 2 Frome Cr, Werribee, and supports students with mild to profound intellectual disabilities in the Wyndham area. Students access specialised education services and high-quality learning and wellbeing programs. The school promotes inclusive, safe and respectful learning environments and works to strengthen student engagement, participation, independence and wellbeing through a positive behaviour support framework.

Our facility consists of 4 permanent buildings, including:

• an administration building (incorporating school library and staff lounge);
• 2 learning neighbourhoods (1 Junior and 1 Senior);
• a community hub with indoor multi-use court;
• canteen;
• arts/music spaces;
• hard courts; and
• a sports field.

Students have great modern learning areas with air conditioning and heating inside with undercover walkways and shelters for protection from the weather when outdoors. The school is designed to be environmentally sustainable.

Selection Criteria

• SC1 - Student Relationships and Behaviour Support: Demonstrated ability to develop positive, respectful and trusting relationships with students with diverse learning and behavioural needs, and to provide consistent, patient and supportive assistance that promotes positive behaviour, engagement and participation.
• SC2 - Understanding and Responding to Behaviour: Demonstrated ability to recognise and respond appropriately to a range of behaviours, including behaviours of concern, using positive, proactive and student-centred approaches.
• SC3 - Individualised Student Support: Demonstrated ability to follow and implement individual student support strategies, programs and behaviour plans, and to collaborate with teachers and other school staff to support student learning, wellbeing, communication and participation.
• SC4 - Communication, Teamwork and Professional Practice: Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, including respectful communication with students and effective collaboration with teachers, Education Support staff, families and professionals, together with an understanding of confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• SC5 - Child Safety, Inclusion and Initiative: Demonstrated commitment to child safety, wellbeing, inclusion and the dignity of students with disability, together with the capacity to show initiative, respond flexibly to changing student needs and contribute positively to an inclusive school environment.

Role

The Behaviour Support position provides individualised assistance to students with complex learning, communication and behavioural needs. Working closely with the wellbeing and engagement leadership team, behaviour support AHA, the classroom teachers and classroom based Education Support staff, the role supports student wellbeing, safety, engagement, communication and participation across classroom, social and whole-school settings. The position requires a calm, consistent and student centred approach.

Role Expectations

• Support students in accordance with documented plans and agreed school practices.
• Seek guidance when a student's presentation or support needs fall outside established plans or role responsibilities.
• Record and communicate relevant observations accurately and objectively when required.
• Participate in relevant professional learning, team meetings and planning processes as directed.
• Model the school's values and expectations in day-to-day practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated one-to-one support to students with complex behavioural, communication and learning needs.
• Develop positive, respectful and trusting relationships with students, maintaining a positive regard for students and promoting this across the school.
• Support students to participate in classroom learning, routines, activities and social settings across the school.
• Implement individualised student support strategies, programs and behaviour plans under the direction of teachers, allied health professionals and school leaders.
• Support students with emotional regulation, communication, engagement and participation.
• Recognise signs and early indicators of dysregulation and respond proactively using agreed strategies.
• Provide calm, consistent and predictable support during periods of heightened emotion or behaviours of concern.
• Follow agreed safety procedures, behaviour support strategies and individual student plans.
• Support successful transitions between activities, environments and routines.
• Promote student independence, social interaction, participation and a sense of belonging.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, Education Support staff and other relevant school staff.
• Communicate observations, progress, concerns and relevant information to appropriate staff.
• Contribute to strategies designed to reduce behaviours of concern and increase engagement in learning.
• Maintain student dignity, privacy and confidentiality at all times.
• Respond flexibly and professionally to changing student needs while working within agreed plans and procedures.
• Contribute positively to a safe, inclusive and respectful school environment.

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfil the specific requirements of the position. International applicants are welcome to apply.

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.

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights.

Knowledge Skills & Personal Attributes

• A student-centred and strengths-based approach to supporting young people with disability.
• Understanding that behaviour may function as communication and may reflect unmet communication, sensory, emotional or environmental needs.
• Capacity to remain calm, patient and predictable in situations involving heightened behaviour.
• Ability to follow individual plans, routines, safety procedures and teacher direction consistently.
• Strong relationship-building, teamwork and communication skills.
• Professional judgement, discretion and respect for confidentiality.
• Flexibility and initiative when responding to changing student needs.
• Commitment to promoting student independence rather than creating unnecessary dependence on adult support.
• Commitment to inclusive education, child safety and the dignity and rights of students with disability.

Working Relationships

The Behaviour Support Education Support team member works under the direction of the wellbeing and engagement leaders, including the Lead ES, AP wellbeing and Engagement and Wellbeing and Engagement/MHIPS LT. They collaborate closely with classroom teachers, Education Support staff, wellbeing personnel, allied health professionals and other staff involved in the student's learning and support.

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.