Occupational & Speech Therapists
Graduate Program

Clinical support is central to the Kid Sense Graduate Program as it is the key that develops suitably trained but inexperienced graduates into confident and competent therapists. Support takes many forms including: shadowing experience therapists, being shadowed by those same therapists, support &/or supervision to plan sessions, write progress notes and review assessment/NDIS reports. Each graduate also has a Mentor to help you with the small every day questions that come up, as well as a designated Supervisor for regular clinical support. This amazing mentoring and supervision is wrapped up by pervasive team support just because of the caring team we are!

Supervision and support exceeds 100 hours in the first three months when you need it most!

1:1 Supervision is provided weekly in the first three months, and reduces after that as your need reduces depending upon your confidence, competence and your preference. Nevertheless  supervision continues over the course of the Graduate Program, just as it does for all clinical staff.

Graduates are supported by a team of more experienced therapists including:

a designated supervisor for direct clinical support and a designated mentor who provides daily emotional and practical support. This is further wrapped up by the pervasive supportive attitude of our ‘we’re all in this together’ team. Graduates are exposed to a range of experienced clinicians from 5+ yrs experience to their fellow graduates, all whom provide support in a slightly  different way.

At Kid Sense we acknowledge that different people learn in different ways. As such, graduates are provided with a combination of written and visual learning tools which are provided for home learning prior to commencing any client facing contact. We have found that this is the best way for therapists to get the very best out of their shadowing (as well as being shadowed) – having understood the basics they are ready to see the more complicated strategies in action and ask more probing questions.

This on-line training is of course supported by specific 1:1 supervision which can include your supervisor: shadowing your therapy sessions, helping you to plan sessions, reviewing your treatment note/plans, preparing for assessments, reviewing reports and documentation (including NDIS).

Caseload expectations are initially minimal and increase in a staggered manner over the first 3 months (aided by lots of  support). As your competence builds, so too does your caseload expectations. Graduates are clear on the treatment numbers, and types, that are expected at any point in time. Support is provided by both clinical and admin staff to ensure this staggered caseload is a comfortable learning journey.

As successfully managing entry to the professional workforce without being immersed in it full-time can be challenging, the Graduate Program is typically a full-time five days a week program (*We do flex as required). Working days are standardly 7.5 hours in duration. A Flexibility Policy (to vary working hours) is typically available upon successful completion of the 6 month probation period.

Kid Sense currently has 6 locations across metro Adelaide (with further growth planned), making it possible to choose your preferred location.

Our commitment to a work/life balance means we believe in placing team members as close to home as possible. Many staff however enjoy ‘mixing it up’ a little by working across multiple sites which offers them exposure to a range of  staff members (and thus different clinical mentors) as well as  different client groups (eg  varying socio economic groups) with obvious professional development benefits.

Kid Sense supplies all resources (including toys and consumables) as well as your own individual treatment space. Furthermore, Kid Sense provides training on how to use the provided resources – this training is the key to making the most of the resources available. By the way, we also provide laptop and IPADs for all therapists.

The Graduate Program is focused around a team of graduates moving through the learning journey together so that they enjoy the clinical and emotional comradery of the journey. These graduates are very much supported by Mentors who have had 1 to 2 years of experience and who vividly recall the joys and challenges of the entry into the workforce, as well as  designated clinical supervisors. The exact number of graduates (both Speech and OT) across a wide range of sites varies from year to year. We can tell you however that the Graduate Program has produced 22 Graduates in the last 2 year alone!

No. AHA work is an option for those interested in a gradual entry into the workforce. Being an AHA offers you the fun of being a therapist without the responsibility that goes with being a therapist. It gives graduates a chance to learn the systems and procedures, the toys and the clients without the responsibility of treatment planning etc whilst also earning a wage as your learn.

The group Graduate Program kicks off in January. However, individuals can join at any time during the year with the benefit of following the same supported journey.

Graduates are offered ’above award’ wages in a salaried role (that is, guaranteed pay) rather than paid commission (paid a percentage of what they earn).

Tip: In your first year of employment often the more you are paid, the less support you will receive and the higher the expectations of your caseload.