Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Pathologist

Grow Early Supports; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

ESDM training

Supervision & mentoring

Travel reimbursement

Caseload balance

Job summary

Grow Early Supports is a specialist early childhood intervention provider supporting children aged 1–9 years with developmental delays and disabilities across Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs. We operate mobile services and are expanding to a clinic in Melton, offering flexible in-home and community therapy.

The role seeks a passionate Occupational Therapist or Speech Language Pathologist to work with families, children and educators, delivering evidence-based interventions and building

Qualifications

• Qualified OT or SLP with current registration
• Experience with autistic or neurodivergent children
• Knowledge of early childhood development and routines-based practice
• Ability to collaborate with families, educators and therapists

Responsibilities

• Provide individualised, strengths-based early intervention therapy in homes and education settings
• Collaboratively set learning goals with families and educators
• Coach and support parents and caregivers to embed strategies in daily routines
• Collaborate with educators to support children’s participation and inclusion
• Maintain clear, timely documentation and reporting
• Contribute to reflective practice and ongoing professional development

Skills

Interpersonal skills

AAC knowledge

Child development knowledge

Education

AHPRA registration (OT/SLP)

Certified Practising Membership eligibility (Speech Pathology Australia)

Tools

ESDM training

Home/community therapy

Job description

Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Pathologist

We're looking for an OT or SLP who wants to do meaningful, collaborative and evidence-based work with young children and their families to join our small and growing team!

About Us

Grow Early Supports is a specialist early childhood intervention provider dedicated to supporting children aged 1–9 years with developmental delays, differences and disabilities - including Autistic children with complex and high support needs - and their families.

We're a mobile, transdisciplinary service delivering therapy where children live, learn, play and grow: in homes, early education centres, schools and the community across Melbourne's northern and western suburbs. We'll also be opening a clinic space in Melton (or surrounding areas) shortly, so our team will have a combination of days in the clinic and days in the community.

Our practice is child-centred, play- and routines-based and neurodiversity-affirming. We are recognised national and international leaders in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), an evidence and play based model developed specifically for young Autistic children. We work in close partnership with families, caregivers and educators to support children and their community.

About the Role

We're looking for a passionate and values-aligned Occupational Therapist or Speech Language Pathologist to join our growing team - whether you're a new graduate ready to build strong foundations, or an experienced clinician ready to do deeply meaningful work.

You’ll work directly with children in their homes and education settings, partnering with families, caregivers and educators to support each child's development in their everyday routines and environments.

Day to day, you will:

Provide individualised, strengths-based early intervention therapy with children in homes and education settings, drawing on your specialist area and skillset

Collaboratively develop and review meaningful learning goals with families, educators and the broader team around the child

Coach and build capacity with parents, caregivers and educators - embedding practical strategies into everyday routines

Consult and collaborate with educators to support children's participation and inclusion in early education

Work within a warm, supportive transdisciplinary team who genuinely have each other's backs

Maintain clear, respectful and timely documentation and reporting

Contribute to a culture of reflective practice and continuous learning

Who We're Looking For

We welcome applications from qualified OTs and SLPs:

Occupational Therapists - with current AHPRA registration (or eligibility)

Speech Language Pathologists - eligible for Certified Practising Membership with Speech Pathology Australia and experienced with AAC

New graduates are warmly encouraged to apply. We invest genuinely in your growth.

Relevant tertiary qualification and registration/membership (as above)

Experience with Autistic and/or neurodivergent children - clinical, educational, support / respite work, family or lived experience all valued

Sound understanding of early childhood development and how young children learn, communicate and connect

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting relationships and connections with children, families and educators

Current Working with Children Check, National Police Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check (or willingness to obtain)

Valid Australian driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle

Experience in early childhood intervention or NDIS-funded services

Experience in home- or community-based therapy or coaching

Familiarity with play-based, routines-based or coaching approaches

Familiarity with the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) - or a genuine interest in training in it

Experience supporting children with complex and high support needs

The Values We're Looking For

Beyond qualifications, we're looking for someone whose values genuinely align with ours, including:

Are committed to neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based, strengths-based practice

Believe in working in real partnership with families and educators - not just alongside them

Bring warmth, integrity and genuine care - for children, families, your colleagues, and yourself

Embrace reflective practice and see ongoing learning as part of good clinical work

What We Offer

Competitive salary $90,000 – $115,000, commensurate with your skills and experience

Full-time or part-time hours - we genuinely support work-life balance

A warm, supportive and values-led team culture

Structured clinical supervision, mentoring and reflective practice - including access to external mentors in your specialist area

In-house training and certification in the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) (we are ESDM trainers)

Ongoing professional development support - we invest in your growth

Practice-based coaching training

Paid travel time and kilometre reimbursement between client visits

A manageable caseload that respects your time and wellbeing and supports best practice outcomes for children

The chance to shape the future of our values and purpose-driven service