POSITION POSITION: DEPARTMENT: REPORTS TO: Disability Liaison Advisor (Swan Hill) Student Support Services Manager Learning Support Services CLASSIFICATION: PACCT LEVEL 4 PRIMARY OBJECTIVES Coordinate the daily support of students with a disability including management of the Swan Hill disability support fund, employment of casual staff and supervision of those staff supporting students with a disability at the Swan Hill Campus. Through provision of expert advice and professional development, promote a culture of inclusivity, disability awareness, and collaboration key Institute stakeholders engaged in delivering services to students with a disability at the Swan Hill campus Develop and implement procedures, case management plans and action plans for people with disabilities within the framework of relevant legislation. ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT Sunraysia Institute of TAFE is the leading provider of vocational education and training in the north-west of Victoria. As part of its Strategic Plan, the Institute has identified the following economic, social, educational and community drivers: increasing participation in vocational education and training to meet the needs of industry particularly in skills shortage areas; developing strategic partnerships to broaden education and training options for the region industry and their associations, schools, private registered trainings organisations (RTOs) and universities; improving pathways for students from secondary education to vocational education and training to higher education and maximising the Institute s productivity in a contestable market. The tertiary landscape is changing rapidly and the Institute is committed to ensuring that we continue to provide education and training that are relevant to the communities we serve. Manager: Manager Learning Support Services Key Relationships: Disability Liaison Advisor Mildura Student Wellbeing Coordinator
Disability Liaison Advisor (Swan Hill) Page 2 of 6 Student Counsellor Education Business Managers Teaching Staff Subordinates: Casual Disability Support Staff, i.e. Participation Assistant, Tutors, Note Takers POSITION SUMMARY Under general direction of the Manager Learning Support Services, the incumbent has the autonomy and responsibility for coordinating student disability support including liaison and case management, advocacy, advice and learning support for students with a disability, impairment or medical condition at the Swan Hill campus. This includes the provision of resources, support and reasonable adjustments when required, and working with internal and external stakeholders. The Disability Liaison Advisor will provide supervision, guidance and advice where required to casual Participation Assistants, Tutors and Note Takers while encouraging a service culture within the team. The position provides a variety of additional support services to the Swan Hill campus student population in consultation and collaboration with the Student Wellbeing Coordinator. This may include the use of a range of therapeutic counselling approaches, wellbeing support, and crisis intervention and conflict resolution for students when required. The Disability Liaison Advisor liaises directly with the Disability Liaison Officer (Mildura) and the Student Counselling Team to ensure resources, knowledge and initiatives are consistent and shared across all campuses. They will ensure regular communication meetings are held and information, policies and practices are shared and implemented. KEY RESPONSIBIILITIES Under the direction of the Manager Learning Support Services and in accordance with the Institute s policies and procedures the Disability Liaison Advisor is required to: Coordinate disability support at the Swan Hill campus including outsourcing of services where appropriate, employment of disability support staff internally, and the provision of supervision and guidance to these staff ensuring the timely delivery of services and follow up. Liaise with relevant staff to identify, internal and external factors which prevent full participation of people with disabilities in the Institute's education and training programs. In conjunction with other relevant Institute staff, develop support systems which will enhance the integration of people with disabilities into the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE. Promote disability awareness within the Institute by providing expert advice and professional development to teaching and support staff for inclusion of students with disabilities, disability discrimination and related legislation. May be required to a variety of support services to the Swan Hill campus student population in consultation and collaboration with the Student Wellbeing Coordinator. This may include the use of a range of therapeutic counselling approaches, wellbeing support, and crisis intervention and conflict resolution for students when required. Provide advice and knowledge to Institute stakeholders with regard to inclusivity, disability awareness, learning support strategies, reasonable accommodations, assistive technology, access to educational resources and equipment, providing classroom assistance where appropriate.
Disability Liaison Advisor (Swan Hill) Page 3 of 6 Use of Institute Student Management System to report on students who have identified as having a disability and requesting support, and make initial contact with these students in regards to support needs. Act as an initial referral point and provide on-going support for students with disabilities and their teachers. Provide disability liaison,case management and advocacy services to students with a disability including intake and assessment and actions plans to ensure better outcomes for students. This includes referral to external agencies when required and management of own case load. Liaise directly with teachers and applicants with disabilities to assist in pre-entry assessment, where appropriate and to develop modification to delivery modes, course content and assessment procedures. Conduct student orientations, information sessions and workshops to student groups on specific wellbeing and disability issues as required. Provide advice to students regarding access to financial support, learning support, learning pathways and life skills. Provide case management services including referral to appropriate external service providers when required. Provide advice and knowledge to Institute stakeholders with regard to student wellbeing, student advocacy, student engagement, access to other support services, access to financial assistance, conflict resolution and crisis intervention strategies. In conjunction with the Student Wellbeing Coordinator (Swan Hill) the position is responsible for assisting the Senior Manager Rural Campuses in conducting investigations into student incidents at the Swan Hill Campus, including liaising with teachers and students, making support recommendations, and drafting letters for approval by the relevant manager. Liaise and work as a case care team member with the Student Wellbeing Coordinator, SuniTAFE staff, external agencies, families and advocates on issues affecting students to ensure a high quality of service to students. This includes management of own case load. Assist students with conflict resolution, crisis intervention, complaints and appeals, providing students with information on SuniTAFE policies and procedures. Provide SuniTAFE staff with referral to the Employee Assistance Program through HR Services where appropriate and in consultation with the Manager ensure the appropriate case records, and documentation is completed in a timely manner and stored in line with privacy legislation and Institute record keeping policies. Understand and commit to maintaining confidentiality and privacy in accordance with government legislation and Institute policy and procedures. Provide input into regular department reporting including; the number of student utilising the department s services, student and customer feedback, incident reports, and progress reporting on high risk students.. Represent the Institute by liaising in various appropriate networks, committees and meetings both locally and statewide. This will ensure current knowledge of student, community and Institute affairs and the contemporariness of services being offered. Liaise with the Disability Liaison Coordinator (Mildura) to identify funding sources and write submissions and acquittals as required. Monitor the need for special and / or additional educational resources human and physcial, to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Report on hazards to students with disabilities. Liaise with the Disability Liaison Coordinator (Mildura) to develop, implement, review and maintain Institute policies, procedures and initiatives, in particular the area of people with disabilities. Provide support in collaboration with the Student Support Services team including critical incident stress debriefing as required.
Disability Liaison Advisor (Swan Hill) Page 4 of 6 To provide exceptional customer service to all internal and external stakeholders of the Institute. The position requires a significant amount of professional and intuitive judgement and a significant awareness of the consequences of guidance given and ramifications of actions taken. Comply with OH&S and EEO legislation; and Environmental Sustainability Management by supporting the Institutes relevant Policy, Procedures and standard operating procedures applicable to your role. Prepardness and capacity to undertake further courses of study, annual OH&S, EEO, Cultural Diversity and/or identified mandatory professional development programs or training relevant to the position as necessary. Report to work as scheduled with a willingness to work flexible hours according to business needs. Willingness to adopt change and new initiatives. Represent the Institute professionally at all times. Other allocated duties, not specifically mentioned in this document, but within the capacity, qualifications and experience normally expected from persons occupying positions at this classification. CHILD SAFETY OFFICER DUTIES Provide a single point of contact for students, staff and/or community members requiring advice and/or support regarding any child safety concerns. Responsible for providing information on Child Safe standards and reporting mechanisms to all students via the SSS induction sessions. Responsible for providing regular information sessions for all staff regarding the Child Safe standards. Work with students, staff and/or community members to accurately record any disclosures and/or reported concerns, and advise senior management of any such disclosures for further action. Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the legislative requirements surrounding Child Safe standards, including reporting requirements, definitions of abuse and internal processes for dealing with disclosures. Work collaboratively with Institute management and other staff to ensure that child safety is prioritised within the Institute, that any allegations of abuse and/or safety concerns are recorded and responded to consistently in line with legal requirements and Institute policies and procedures. SUPERVISORY & TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES Actively contribute to the Student Support Services department plan in conjunction with the Manager Learning Support Services. Ensure all Student Support Services projects are administered in accordance with contemporary project management principles and practices. Support other Student Support Services team functions when required or as directed, encouraging a team environment. Provide mentoring and guidance to disability support staff. Assess the training and skill development needs of disability support staff and provide opportunities for these staff to enhance their skills and abilities. Monitor the Swan Hill Disability Support Fund including the allocation and distribution of resources, communicating any anomalies or additional budget expenses to the Manager Learning Support Services. Uphold professional relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
Disability Liaison Advisor (Swan Hill) Page 5 of 6 Promote the effective and efficient use of data and information across the Institute. Review department casual staff and prioritise requests, manage workloads and manage any service complaints ensuring agreed deadlines are met. Consult with the Manager Learning Support Services on matters where activity cannot easily be determined by reference to past practices or established procedures. Attend regular team meetings encouraging open and regular communication. Travel to Institute campuses as requested. Provide support outside regular hours as requested. CONTROLLING, REGULATING AND REPORTING Deliver reports and information for the Student Support Services Department as required. Assist the Senior Manager Rural Campuses in conducting investigations into student incidents at the Swan Hill campus as required. Coordinate the Institute Disability Action Plan (DAP) in conjunction with the Disability Liasion Advisor Mildura in line with the Institute s Strategic Plan including setting, monitoring and measuring DAP objectives and KPI s ensure measureable and time bound outcomes. Ensure that all relevant Higher Education Skills Group (HESG) and Legislative reporting requirements are met as directed. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Ensure that the unit adopts the Institutes policies, procedures and standard operating procedures (SOP). Contribute to the regular review and update of the unit s policies, procedures and standard operating procedures; and Make recommendations to the Manager Learning Support Services in respect of new polices, procedures and standard operating procedures as appropriate. EDUCATION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE Relevant Degree with relevant work experience; or a suitable combination of lesser qualifications and significant relevant experience. TASK LEVEL Tasks and work assignments will be typically under general direction but guided by policy, precedent and professional standards. Apply broad technical knowledge and experience to the area of specialist expertise. Provide interpretation, advice and decisions based upon established operational practices, professional standards, policies and procedures. May involve co-ordination and supervision of other staff. JUDGEMENT AND PROBLEM SOLVING Requires the application of theoretical knowledge, experience and skills to well defined work objectives. Often, complex or technical problems need to be solved with some creativity or originality by selecting the particular method for solution from a range of available alternatives. SUPERVISION AND INDEPENDENCE Work will be performed typically under general direction, but guided by policy, precedent and professional standards. May involve supervision and / or cooperation of others to achieve the objective. May be required to undertake a wide range of duties and responsibilities, some of which may be complex.
Disability Liaison Advisor (Swan Hill) Page 6 of 6 Employees work under routine supervision to general direction depending upon the tasks involved and experience. Have responsibility for daily operation of a work area, which may involve supervision, assigning and coordination of work for other staff. Supervisors at this level require a thorough understanding of the relevant technology, procedures and processes within the operating unit. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIP AND IMPACT Work assignments require an understanding of the work area rules, regulations, processes, techniques, and understanding of how these interact with other related functions in the work environment. Tasks/assignments require proficiency in the work area s rules, regulations, processes and techniques and their interaction with other related policies and procedures. Provide advice in the area of expertise to others outside the immediate work area in the context of established rules and procedures. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Ability to gain cooperation and assistance from others, including those supervised, to achieve identified objectives. May provide information and advice to members of the public on a course of action appropriate to their needs and assistance with organisational policies and guidelines. May liaise with counterparts in other organisations to discuss specialist matters and with other employees on an individual and team basis in order to resolve intra-organisational problems. Required to write reports in field of expertise and prepare correspondence. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA 1. Relevant degree in Disability, Social work, Psychology, Community Services or a related field and relevant experience in a disability services environment; or lesser qualification with a minimum of 4 years demonstrated experience in a disability services environment are essential. 2. Demonstrated experience in supervising and mentoring staff, budgeting and planning. 3. Experience in an education environment would be advantageous. 4. Demonstrated experience and skills, case management, crisis intervention, mediation, negotiation and counselling techniques. 5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 6. Excellent interpersonal communications skills are required to build relationships and communicate with stakeholders across the Institute and at all levels of the organisation. 7. Knowledge of National Privacy Laws, equal opportunity legislation and government social policy. 8. Ability to act autonomously and to deal tactfully and effectively with confidential matters. 9. Demonstrated experience, skills and knowledge of modern administrative procedures and technology including knowledge and use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Access. Recommended Approved Acknowledged Director Organisational Director INCUMBENT Capability DATE: / / DATE: / / DATE: / /