Apply for Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS)

The Ongoing Resourcing Scheme is for students with high or very high ongoing needs for learning support. This page provides information about how to apply.

Level of compliance Main audience Other

Inform

  • Educators, Teachers and Kaiako
  • Principals and Tumuaki
  • All Early Learning Services
  • Learning Support Coordinators and SENCOs
  • Learning Support Specialist Staff
  • Parents, Caregivers and Whānau
  • Boards
  • Non-Government Agencies
  • Disability Sector

If a student is eligible for the ORS, an application can be made by following the process described on this page.

The application for ORS funding is a collaborative effort between parents/whānau, educators and the team around the child.

Applicants (educators or key workers) need to apply at the right time, have a wide range of information about the child or student’s learning support needs, and choose the right ORS application form.

When to apply for ORS

For:

When to apply:

Young children Best to apply 3 to 4 months before they go to school
School children Any time

Applications for ORS can be made for children and students who are:

  • in transition to school from an early intervention programme
  • 5 to 6 years old with little or no involvement in early childhood education
  • identified as having a significant rise in their level of need
  • recent or intending immigrants to New Zealand
  • returning with their families/whānau from overseas.

Changes in circumstance

When a student’s circumstances change significantly or you have new information relating to the eligibility:

If ...

Then ...

It is within 6 months of the decision letter for the first application

You can request a review

It is over 6 months since the decision letter for the first application

You can submit a new application

What information you need to fill out the form

To fill out an ORS application form, you need to gather information about the child or student’s learning support needs.

  • This information should come from whānau/parents or caregivers, specialists, teachers and others that know the child or student well.
  • Draw the information from as wide a range of assessments as possible.
  • A specific diagnosis isn't needed before you apply.

An ORS application:

  • needs to give a clear and accurate picture of the child or student’s learning support needs, and show how they meet one or more of the ORS criteria
  • can include information from a hearing, vision or medical report, if it’s relevant to the application.

Fact sheets and guide to help you complete the ORS application forms:

ORS criteria – Education in New Zealand

Read the ORS guidelines before you start the application process and for guidance as you complete the application.

ORS guidelines [DOCX, 172 KB]

Go to the verification process for ORS page to find out what happens after you submit an application.

Verification process for ORS – Education in New Zealand

Help to choose the right ORS application form

ORS has 3 types of forms. Use the following information to help you choose the right one.

Form 1: Early childhood form

Best to apply

For children:

  • 3 to 4 months before they enrol at school
  • at least 4 years 8 months old
  • that may be making transition visits to a school, but are not officially on a school roll
Used for

The early childhood form can be used for high and very high needs.

Use the early childhood form if you are uncertain about the child clearly meeting one of the very high criterion

Educator to complete form
  • an early intervention teacher (EIT), or
  • other early intervention team member, or
  • a registered early childhood teacher
Forms (in English and te reo Māori)

Early childhood ORS application form [DOCX, 60 KB] 

Kōhungahunga Te Pukatono ORS [DOCX, 59 KB]

An application is made for very high needs and the child is verified high

A letter will be provided explaining the verifiers’ decision

Form 2: Early childhood for very high needs forms

Used for

The early childhood application for very high needs forms are for children (from 4 years six months) who clearly have very high needs

These forms are not for children who are already at school

Educator to complete form An early intervention specialist should complete the form with the following:
  • parent/whānau or caregivers
  • the early childhood teacher, and
  • professionals providing support to the child
Forms (English only)

There are 6 forms, 1 for each criterion or sub-criterion at the very high needs level

Select the form that corresponds with the child’s greatest area of need

Note: If you are uncertain about the child clearly meeting 1 of the very high criteria then you should use the full early childhood ORS application form

Early childhood ORS application form [DOCX, 60 KB] 

ORS application form: Early childhood very high needs Criterion 1 (Learning) [DOCX, 58 KB] 

ORS application form: Early childhood very high needs Criterion 2.1 (Hearing) [DOCX, 57 KB]

ORS application form: Early childhood very high needs Criterion 2.2 (Hearing) [DOCX, 57 KB]

ORS application form: Early childhood very high needs Criterion 2.3 (Vision) [DOCX, 57 KB]

ORS application form: Early childhood very high needs Criterion 3 (Physical) [DOCX, 58 KB]

ORS application form: Early childhood very high needs Criterion 4 (Language use and social communication) [DOCX, 58 KB] 

When the information provided in the application form doesn’t indicate a child meets ORS at the 'very high' level:

AND...

 THEN...

There is sufficient information in the application to include the child at high needs status 

The child will be verified high and a letter will be sent to the educator.

The letter provided will not explain the verifiers’ decision because the early childhood for very high needs application should only be used for children who clearly have very high needs when a child is verified high

  • All other copies of the letter including the parent and school (if provided on the application) will also be sent to the educator
  • The educator will need to discuss the decision with the parent and give them their copy of the letter

There is insufficient information in the application to include the child at High needs status

The child will not be ORS verified and a letter will be sent to the educator

As the early childhood for very high needs application should only be used for children who clearly have very high needs when a child is not ORS verified the letter provided will not explain the verifiers’ decision

  • All other copies of the letter including the parent and school (if provided on the application) will also be sent to the educator
  • The educator will need to discuss the decision with the parent and give them their copy of the letter

Note: Observation visits are not available for applications completed on the Early Childhood for very high needs application.

Form 3: School and kura form

Used for

Students enrolled at and attending school and kura

Educator to complete form

  • a class teacher
  • special education needs coordinator (SENCO)
  • learning support coordinator (LSC) or
  • resource teacher learning and behaviour (RTLB)
Forms (in English and te reo Māori)

ORS application form: School [DOCX, 59 KB]

ORS pukatono: Kura [DOCX, 62 KB] 

 

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