Paraprofessionals
Overview
The paraprofessional class enables the employment of people with professional expertise for fixed periods in circumstances where a qualified teacher is not available. Paraprofessionals will provide professional expertise in particular areas of the curriculum. Paraprofessionals are employed in the Teaching Service for a fixed period not exceeding five years under section 2.4.9 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.
The Paraprofessional Class comprises four classification levels:
- Paraprofessional - Level 4
- Paraprofessional - Level 3
- Paraprofessional - Level 2
- Paraprofessional - Level 1
Employment
Paraprofessional vacancies cannot be advertised. The employment of a paraprofessional can only occur when it has been established that there is no suitable registered teacher available to fill the teaching vacancy and the Victorian Institute of Teaching has granted that paraprofessional permission to teach.
However, where the principal forms a view that a vacancy, which requires particular expertise, may not attract applications from registered teachers then the following advice may be included in a teacher vacancy (under Other Information) when the teacher vacancy is created on Recruitment Online:
"People who have professional expertise in the area but do not have current provisional or full registration from the Victorian Institute of Teaching may apply. Preference will be given to applicants with teacher training. Applicants who are not eligible for provisional or full registration will be required to obtain permission to teach from the Victorian Institute of Teaching prior to commencing employment."
Persons employed in the paraprofessional classification can only be employed on a fixed-term basis and must satisfy the standard pre-employment checks for new employees. Where the teaching vacancy is advertised as an ongoing position and a paraprofessional is employed, the offer of employment must be changed to fixed term.
A paraprofessional employed in response to a classroom teacher vacancy will be offered employment at level 1. A paraprofessional employed in response to a leading teacher vacancy will be offered employment at either level 3 or level 2 as determined by the principal having regard to the role and responsibilities the paraprofessional will undertake.
In those instances where a paraprofessional who already has ongoing employment with the Department (for example some paraprofessionals employed in the instrumental music area), is employed in response to a leading teacher vacancy that employee will revert to paraprofessional level 1 at the end of the tenure of the position, and will remain an ongoing employee at the school.
Roles and responsibilities
Principals are to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of a paraprofessional comply with any specific limitations, restrictions or conditions determined by the Victorian Institute of Teaching in granting that person permission to teach. Unless the Victorian Institute of Teaching has determined otherwise a paraprofessional with permission to teach must be under the general supervision of a registered teacher. General supervision includes oversight of the planning and implementation of class programs, and professional support with regard to:
- Teaching methods/practices
- Student welfare
- Assessment procedures and related matters.
Other Resources
Legislation
Related Topics