Change a child’s life, forever!

The Cairns Early Years Centre provides universal and targeted services to families, using a family-centred and strengths-based approach. Our adjoining kindergarten provides inclusive early learning activities and supports participation for all students as part of their preparation for school.

The speech pathologist works collaboratively with families, the CEYC team and other services to facilitate children’s speech and language development and to encourage healthy eating. Services are provided to infants and children 0-8 years and their families in early years settings and natural environments with opportunities to develop and deliver playgroup and individual programs. An emphasis on capacity-building and coaching is integral to this position.

As the partner in the Community for NDIA’s Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) service across the Greater Brisbane region, the Benevolent Society is excited to be able to offer the right candidate experience in working remotely to support our team of Child Development Specialists across Brisbane to meet virtually with families and gather information on their child’s development, and the parents’ goals for their child. You will then use the information you have gathered, as well as any other available information such as existing Allied Health Professionals’ reports, to craft a report that details the supports or equipment required by that child and their family through the NDIS.

In this jointly funded role you will work with children (0-8 years) in an early years setting to address their communication and learning needs. You will educate and empower parents/caregivers to see the child progress over time, sharing each victory along the way. In your work supporting our ECEI team you work alongside other professionals, such as Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and Early Childhood Teachers, to determine the best pathway for children with a development delay and/or disability and their families, which may include seeking to gain access to the NDIS.

Our Services

The Cairns Early Years Centre is a community hub offering family support services, parent education and playgroups, as well as holistic early childhood education in our Approved Kindergarten. We empower families to select how and where they engage with us, making services meaningful for them. We are proud to work in close partnership with Wuchopperen Health Service and Queensland Health. The Speech Pathologist works in our purpose-built centres, in community settings (including schools and community centres) and in family homes, as well as having access to excellent resources for virtual service-delivery. We are committed to reflective practice, professional development and responsive support to ensure your ongoing professional growth.

The Early Childhood Early Intervention Service is delivered by the Benevolent Society as the community partner in the community for the National Disability Insurance Agency in south-east Queensland. The ECEI approach supports families to help children 0-6 who have a developmental delay or disability, to develop the skills they need to take part in daily activities and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their life. The ECEI team are responsible for the assessment of children to determine their eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and in the planning and delivery of short-term, family-centred intervention and integration with community services.

Terms: Permanent full-time position available at Cairns.

Why work with The Benevolent Society?

• We set you up for success with a buddy, structured orientation & mobile tools
• We use technology to connect our Speech Pathology team across geographies
• We celebrate the best life moments; the small acts that make a difference within our teams and with our clients
• Salary packaging, meals and entertainment card and discount program available

What you need to succeed

You will be a member of Speech Pathology Australia and have:

• Experience providing communication and feeding support to children
• Ability to appropriately respond to the needs of people of all abilities and cultural backgrounds
• Work within a client-centric approach while maintaining a positive mindset
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and connect to peers using technology
• Current drivers licence and ability to travel to clients

Interested? Apply below today!

Call Cassy Bishop on 0438 996 390 for a confidential discussion.

We welcome diversity in all its forms; applications from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged. We value relationships with our local Aboriginal community and welcome applications from its members.

We see ability not disability, if you identify as a person with a different ability please get in contact.

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check and Working with Children Check or similar (where relevant to the role).

Speech Pathologist position description