Windermere is a leading independent not-for profit organisation operating predominantly across South-East Victoria. Our unique range of services include; Family Health & Wellbeing, Childhood Development, Education & Support, Early Intervention & Therapy Services, NDIS Support Coordination and Plan Management, Homelessness Support, Counselling Services, assistance to support victims of trauma, assault and violent crimes and Bushfire Recovery Support Services.

We are currently accepting applications for our 2025 Allied Health Graduate Program commencing on 13 January 2025 and seeking a Graduate Speech Pathologist to join our team - there are just 5 Grad Roles in our highly desirable program, so keep reading and apply today!

The Graduate Program

As a Graduate Paediatric Speech Pathologist/Key Worker, you will play a pivotal role in providing support to children from 0-12. You will have the opportunity to consolidate your existing skills in speech therapy while incorporating training in other areas to provide a holistic approach to interventions and effectively support families and their child to achieve their goals.

Windermere offers a two-year Graduate Program, which includes:

1. Ten Training Modules: These cover various aspects of occupational therapy and key worker responsibilities, equipping you with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in your role.
2. Fortnightly Supervisions: Regular supervision sessions will provide opportunities for feedback and development, guidance, ongoing reflection and professional learning. You will have dedicated time to discuss your caseload, seek advice, and address any challenges you may encounter.
3. Monthly Graduate meetings: These sessions provide the opportunity for our 1st and 2nd year graduates to come together, share experiences, and learn from one another. You will engage in case study reviews, explore new ideas, and foster a supportive learning environment and participate in in-house professional development.
4. Shadowing opportunities across Allied Health/Early Childhood areas: Our team of allied health and early childhood specialists will be available to support you in implementing key worker strategies for children aged 0-7 years. Additionally, you will have access to discipline-specific caseloads for children aged 7 to 12, with opportunities for consults and shadowing sessions in other discipline areas to upskill individually and provide more holistic support with children.

Why work at Windermere?

We are committed to outcome-focused care for children, families and individuals and to making a positive difference in the community. As well as tailored support services for individuals and families, Windermere provides a varied scope of services to support disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Windermere offers a culture of flexibility, support and wellbeing.

Staff Benefits - this is where we stand out from the crowd! Windermere offers staff a wide range of unique benefits beyond the salary.

• Flexible Ways of Working - home, in the office or combination of both
• Above Award Personal Leave and 17.5% annual leave loading
• Gifted days off (between Christmas and New Year)
• Employee Referral Program - $500 per referral
• Flexible Leave Scheme (50/52, 51/52)
• Salary packaging (up to $15,900 per year + additional $2,650 meals and entertainment)
• Structured performance and 1-on-1 development check-ins and secondment opportunities
• Staff discount program for everyday items
• Opportunities for professional development
• Study Leave provisions 
• Rostered Days Off 
• 9 Day Fortnight
• Paid Parental Leave 
• High quality IT equipment incl. Laptop, Headset and Mobile Phone

Windermere care about staff and strive for continuous improvement, which is why we regularly ask our staff and consumers about what we can do better. In our latest staff survey 95% of respondents said they are "happy to tell their family and friends they work at Windermere" and 95% agree "staff are welcome regardless of age, cultural background, race, religion, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation". 

Now, let’s talk about this exciting opportunity!

As part of continued growth of our Early Intervention and Therapy Services (EITS) team, Windermere is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Graduate Paediatric Speech Pathologist/Key Worker to join a highly skilled and dedicated team of allied health professionals and early childhood education specialists to provide comprehensive support to children aged 0 to 12 with a range of complex disabilities and developmental delay. You can hear from our current graduates to learn more about the Graduate Program!

As Windermere is a not-for-profit organisation, employees are able to claim everyday living expenses up to $15,900 against their Pre-Tax Salary. See example below and note this depends on your individual circumstances:

Annual Salary Year 1 - $79,707 Without Salary Packaging or $84,970 With $15,900 of Salary Packaging

Annual Salary Year 2 - $82,748 Without Salary Packaging or $89,953 With $15,900 of Salary Packaging

Your main responsibilities will include: 

• Working collaboratively with families to assess needs and develop tailored intervention plans assisting them in implementing strategies and accessing resources. 
• Utilising a coaching approach to facilitate family confidence in implementing strategies and supports for consumers.
• Collaborating with members of the team, comprising of Early Childhood Education Specialists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists and Allied Health Assistants to support your individual consumer caseload.
• Providing direct speech therapy support and strategies to children aged 7-12 years.
• Participating in monthly graduate meetings for case study review, professional development, and peer support.
• Engaging in fortnightly supervisions/mentoring sessions to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Effectively managing your work schedule to meet service delivery targets.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Tertiary qualified in Speech Pathology with current and ongoing registration with SPA.
• Knowledge and experience to assess children from 0 to 12 with a variety of clinical and developmental needs, such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome and global developmental delay.
• Knowledge and skills in intervention and evaluation of services for children and families.
• Build trusting working relationships with both children and families in addition to the Early Intervention and Therapy Service team.
• Openness to continuous quality improvement that allows ongoing leaning and growth as part of a high performing team.
• Knowledge in the assessment and prescription of assistive technology to support communication needs.
• Ability to manage own caseload to meet consumer needs and organisational KPIs.
• A current Victorian Drivers’ Licence.
• Willingness to promote and support practices that are inclusive, culturally responsive, safe and accessible.
• Willingness to undertake relevant pre-employment screening and checks - including NDIS worker screening check, Police Check, Pre-Employment Medical and Working with Children's check
• Right to Work in Australia e.g. Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Visa holder with full working rights.

If this job excites you, then click the “Apply Now” button now to view the detailed Position Description, and please make sure to address Key Selection Criteria in your cover letter including your interest and experience working with children aged 0-12 years with developmental delay and disability.

If you require any specific access adjustments or support within the Windermere recruitment, interview or onboarding process please contact our Talent Acquisition Specialist via phone +613 8794 1311 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Graduate Speech Pathologist / Key Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Windermere is committed to equity & equality for consumers and employees, this by building diverse and inclusive services and work environments, where all peoples from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, CALD, LGBTIQ+ Communities and those living with disability will know and feel accepted, affirmed, safe and celebrated. Windermere is delivering this through the continued development and implementation of our Welcoming and Inclusion Strategy as we seek to provide a diverse workforce at all levels.