Disability Assistance - TAFE Students Preferred null

We are looking to hire a Disability Assistant to help our son Xavier with his homeschooling.  Xavier has moderate autism and intellectual disability so learns best with 1:1 assistance.  He is transitioning into Year 7 in 2024 and will undertake a Life Skills home schooling curriculum which is geared towards the development of skills necessary to maximise his independence in life.

Your ideal qualifications:

• Certificate 3 (HLT33015) or 4 (HLT43015 or HLT43021) in allied health with a preference for specialty in Disability disciplines including Speech Pathology, OT; or
• Certificate 3 (CHC33015 or CHC33021) in Individual Support; or
• Certificate 3 (CHC30221) or 4 (CHC40221) in School-Based Education Support 

You will work with an interdisciplinary team to receive direction for Xavier's learning:

• Speech Pathologist – Milly Doyle
• ABA specialist – Alayna Haberlin
• OT - To be advised
• Parent - preparation of curriculum materials and management of home school administration

Key activities

• Deliver an Adjusted Standard Curriculum (Year 7 to Year 10) "Life Skills"
• 20 hours per week to achieve Mandatory Curriculum Requirements
• Work with Xavier in and out of the home (including accessing the community eg. Shops, local library, local youth centre, public transport etc.) 

Example Learning Outcomes

• English
  • Reading - using simple texts and apps such as Reading Eggs and ReadWorks.
  • Writing - writing basic text, short notes, preparing lists, filling in forms, basic handwriting, typing and writing on an iPad/iPhone.
  • Developing a functional understanding of everyday texts eg. Signs, instructions, recipes, and ingredients.
• Mathematics
  • Adding, subtracting, counting - practical maths for everyday situations
  • Simple fractions - eg. Dividing things, multiplying things
  • Money and purchasing - using money, tapping a card, getting change, selecting items for value
  • Personal finance - budgeting, understanding the value of money
  • Time, duration and scheduling - telling time and date, planning with time, using a calendar (manual and digital) for important events, setting alarms and reminders
  • Measurement - weight, distance/length, volume
  • Maps - reading maps, following maps and directions on the phone
• Some of HSIE - Xavier will have a customised selection of HSIE learning activities in topics that engage him from the areas of:
  • Geography
    • Characteristics of common places eg. Library, shops, doctor, nature
    • Getting between places taking the bus, walking, crossing the road, following directions, following a map
  • History - Visits to historical sites, researching historical events, watching some shows, websites etc.
  • Commerce - learning about his role as a consumer, purchasing goods and services, differences between needs and wants, budgeting
  • Work Skills - understand the nature of work, develop skills for the workplace
• PDHPE
  • Healthy food choices and a safe and balanced lifestyle
  • Movement skills - throw, catch, exercise, running, gym equipment, cycling
  • Personal Safety - physical, in society, in groups/around others
• Technology - Xavier will have a customised selection of technology learning activities in areas such as:
  • Photography and Digital Media - Taking photos and videos using the phone and exploring and organising them
  • Music - listening to music for enjoyment, 
  • Food Tech - Cooking, shopping, food safety and hygiene
  • Info-Tech - using basic apps and programs on computer and iPad and phone, typing, interacting with websites, safe social media, making phone calls
  • Industrial Tech - basic handyman stuff eg. Tools, using hammer/screwdriver etc. tightening nuts and bolts, using garden tools
  • Marine Tech - boating, fishing

You will be supported by Xavier’s allied health team in setting appropriate academic and functional life skill goals for Xavier.  Xavier’s therapy team will work with you weekly to ensure that you feel confident in implementing a range of evidence-based interventions to support Xavier in achieving his academic and functional life skill goals.

Flexibility of schedule

• 20 to 25 hours per week, 4 to 5 days per week, 40 weeks per year (aligned with school term)
• We would be happy to split the job between two people if necessary
• The job would suit someone with kids at school as you could start after dropping your children off and be finished in time to collect them.  Alternatively, we could start relatively early and finish around lunchtime which would allow Xavier to be free for the afternoon to engage in other community activities / additional exercise/reinforcement of outcomes etc.   
• There may be potential (for additional hours) to assist him with some of these community activities (in addition to the baseline hours).

Contact:

Tristan Whitehorne 0410 594 404 or Tristan.whitehorne@gmail.com for further information or to apply