Learning Support When Your Child Has Significant Needs

What is the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme?

If your child is among the very small number of tamariki with the highest level of need (around 1 in 100 students) the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) will provide ongoing specialist support. This support aims to help your child join in and learn alongside other tamariki at school. If your child can get support through ORS, their funding and support stays with them throughout their time at school.

What kind of support does the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme provide?

The Ongoing Resourcing Scheme provides a number of support options.

Specialists

These include:

• speech-language therapists
• psychologists
• occupational therapists
• physiotherapists
• advisers on deaf children
• special education advisors
• orientation and mobility instructors

Additional or specialist teachers

These additional or specialist teachers coordinate your child's learning programme with the class teacher.

Teacher aides

Teacher aides support your child's learning programme in the classroom. They can also help to include your child in class programmes and activities.

Helpful classroom tools

Small items such as:

• computer software
• extra-size pens and pen grips
• disposable gloves
• braille machine paper
• laminating pouches
• CDs and DVDs

Where can I learn more about the Ongoing Resource Scheme?

For an overview of the Ongoing Resource Scheme (ORS) and how you apply, check the resource at the Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga website Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) info sheet [PDF, 393 KB]. To find out what happens when your child has been accepted for ORS read Welcome to the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) [PDF, 1.6 MB].

See more KidsHealth information about Learning Support

Find out what Learning Support is

Learning Support before school

See the KidsHealth page on Learning Support before your child goes to school

Learning Support at school

See the KidsHealth page on Learning Support when your child is at school

School High Health Needs Fund and regional health schools

See the KidsHealth page about Learning Support when your child has high health needs