About the Role
The Department of Education is seeking a dedicated Education Therapist Specialist in Speech and Language to join its team in Butterworth, Eastern Cape. This vital role not only enhances the learning experience of students in Public Ordinary and Public Special Schools but also plays a crucial part in identifying and addressing barriers to learning within the community. As an Education Therapist, you will work closely with educators, parents, and support staff to foster an inclusive learning environment that allows every child to thrive.
Located in Butterworth, this position is essential for providing therapeutic and educational services that directly impact the lives of learners facing challenges. The work you do will contribute significantly to the educational landscape, ensuring that students receive the support they need to succeed, ultimately benefiting the entire community. Your expertise will be invaluable in training staff and implementing programs that foster early identification and intervention strategies.
About the Department
The Department of Education is committed to providing quality education and support to all learners across South Africa. Its mission is to ensure that every child has access to inclusive and equitable education, regardless of their individual needs. Working within this department means becoming part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and the development of effective educational strategies that empower learners. Your role as an Education Therapist Specialist will allow you to contribute to this mission, making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and their families.
What You’ll Do
- Provide therapeutic and educational services to learners in Public Ordinary and Public Special Schools.
- Implement capacity-building programs for early identification of learning barriers.
- Train educators, parents, and support staff on recognizing and addressing barriers to learning.
- Conduct assessments and offer short-term curriculum interventions to learners experiencing challenges.
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to support learners facing therapeutic barriers.
- Monitor and support learners with high-level needs awaiting placement in special education programs.
- Conduct research to identify trends and address specific needs within the district.
- Facilitate inter-sectoral collaborations to enhance therapeutic support.
What You’ll Need
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Therapy that qualifies for registration with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
- Current registration as a Speech-Language Therapist with the HPCSA.
- A minimum of 5 years relevant experience as a Speech-Language Therapist post-community service; experience as an Education Therapist is an advantage.
- A valid driver’s license.
- Knowledge of Inclusive Education policies and related guidelines.
- Skills in therapeutic assessment, multi-disciplinary teamwork, report writing, and data analysis.
How to Apply
Please submit your application before the closing date as late applications will not be considered.
Requirements
Bachelor's Degree in Speech-Language Therapy that allows for registration with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA).Current registration as a Speech-Language Therapist with the HPCSA is required, and proof of this registration must be provided.
Applicants should have at least 5 years of relevant experience as a Speech-Language Therapist following their community service.
Experience as an Education Therapist will be considered an added advantage.
A valid driver's license is required.
Knowledge: Inclusive Education (IE) policies (White Paper 6); Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy; Guidelines on the development of Full-service/Inclusive Schools; Guidelines on the development of Special Schools as Resource Centres; Care and Support for Teaching and Learning (CSTL); Integrated School Health Policy.
Skills: Therapeutic assessment and techniques; multi-disciplinary teamwork; Preventative and developmental approach; Development of training programmes; Report writing; Analysis of data and trends; Therapeutic research methodology; Communication, consultation and facilitation skills; Computer literacy; Presentation skills and organising and planning.
Job Duties
To provide therapeutic and educational services to Public Ordinary and Public Special Schools within the Education District.Implement therapeutic capacity-building programmes for early identification of interventions relating to barriers to learning.
Train educators, parents and support staff in the early identification of learning barriers particularly barriers to accessing the curriculum.
; Conduct assessments; provide short term curriculum interventions to learners experiencing barriers to learning.
Provide specialized therapeutic support to strengthen District and School-based Support Teams (DBSTs/SBSTs).
Collaborate as multi-disciplinary teams with DBST to support learners experiencing therapeutic barriers to learning.
Provide therapeutic support advisory services to SBST.
Provide direct therapeutic support services to learners when necessary.
Monitor support programmes for learners with high level needs referred and not yet placed in Special Schools or High-Level Support Programmes.
Conduct discipline specific research (Speech and Language) and gather information to identify trends and address these needs within the district.
Participate in inter- and intra-sectoral networks and collaborations.
Collaborate on therapeutic support matters with multi-disciplinary teams at the Special Schools / Resource Centres and Full-Service Schools / Inclusive Schools to include learners who experience curriculum barriers to learning.
Provide/manage professional supervision of the therapists in Public Special Schools within the District.
Monitor and support the process of assessment, reporting, referrals and placement of learners according to levels of need.
Monitor and support the 85 implementation of administration- and record-keeping processes.
Ensure the compliance of Therapists in the special schools to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) policy.
Report on the implementation of therapeutic support intervention programmes for early identification of barriers to learning, therapeutic participation in and contributions to inter- and intra- sectoral networks, therapeutic interventions.
Monitor and manage assistive devices.
