Speech Language Therapist

Based in Cromwell, Otago
Full-time, permanent position

Help shape the future of Education
He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai ōna huanga
We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
At Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education, we work to provide services and support nationally, regionally and locally to the education sector, and in some cases, directly to ākonga and whānau.
We help shape the policies, settings and performance of the education system for early learning, schooling and tertiary. We do this by building relationships and understanding the needs of those who receive our services.
We are making significant changes to how we deliver our mahi by
- Taking practical action to give effect to te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Giving priority to regional and local voice.
- Delivering greater responsiveness, accessibility and integrated services and support.
- Improving feedback loops and information flows.

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people across Aotearoa from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for every child, young person and adult student in our education system.
About our group and team
Te Mahau | Te Tai Runga (South) is a frontline group. Our frontline groups will collectively provide leadership and integrated services to the sector and others. This includes services, such as learning support and education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services.
We are working to build new strengths in curriculum and other services signalled in the Government's response to the Tomorrows' Schools review, for example, early learning network planning.
As a frontline group we develop and harness existing relationships with communities at the regional and local level through the Directors of Education, including deep relationships with iwi and hapū. Our Directors of Education have the lead role and relationship with early learning, kōhanga, school and kura, and this means they will be across all the services we provide at a local level.
We also collectively strengthen relationships with our diverse communities who support Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled ākonga and/or ākonga with learning support needs, and ākonga from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mō tēnei tūranga | About this role
Learning Support is a critical part of Te Tai Runga (South) in the Ministry. We are charged with leading the education sector in ensuring that children and young people with additional learning needs are supported to achieve their full potential through education.
Our Learning Support specialists work closely with families, whānau, caregivers, schools and early childhood educators in English and Māori medium settings and other agencies to help maximise learning outcomes and promote social inclusion.
As a Speech Language Therapist you will play a critical role in our region's Learning Support team by;
- Working to understand the impact of children and young people's speech and language difficulties in the context of their home, school and community
- Working closely with parents, caregivers, teachers and other specialists to help them support their children with the development of speech, language and communication skills
- Working as part of a trans-disciplinary team where a child's needs are complex.

Please note there is further information in the attached Job Description.
Mōhou ake | About you
To be successful you will need;
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Speech-Language Therapy or an equivalent that meets the requirements of the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists Association
- Specialist knowledge of theory, research and practice related to speech-language, child and human development and learning and behaviour
- Ability to translate specialist knowledge into practical information
- Ability to co-ordinate service provision in a multi-agency, trans-disciplinary setting
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with children, young people and their families and teachers across a diverse range of settings
- Knowledge and relationships with Māori communities, hapū and Māori medium educators, and strength in tikanga Māori and/or te reo Māori, would be advantageous.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi? | Are you ready to make a difference?
We provide flexible working environments where everyone feels relevant, valued and supported. So, if working from home and/or having a flexible start and finish to the day will help with this, we can usually make it happen. We'd love to hear what this might look like for you, so feel free to outline this in your Cover Letter.

**In your cover letter we'd like to know**:

- about you, your values, your whakapapa
- your interest and motivations for this role
- the abilities, strengt