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Talk to your child's teachers or healthcare provider
Teachers often have strategies or approaches they will try within the classroom that you can also support at home. Making a plan together is a good place to start.
Your school or kura may also have a teacher responsible for learning support who you can talk to.
If your child's teacher thinks they may need to work with our learning support team to plan how to meet your child's needs, they can contact us after discussing this with you.
You can also talk to your doctor or another healthcare provider.
Contact our learning support team
If you feel you need more advice after talking to your school, you can contact our learning support team to talk about your concerns. They can help you to understand whether your child may need additional support, and if so, what options may be available.
How our learning support teams work with schools and kura
In many cases, children's needs can be met by their school or kura. We aim to support schools and kura to meet the needs of all tamariki | children. Often, we provide resources for teachers to use. Our support teams also work directly with teachers to help them meet children's needs.
If your tamariki needs more tailored support, our team might provide specialist help to support your child's teacher. They may also work directly with your child.
Who will be involved when extra support is needed?
Our specialists work in collaborative teams. Any specialists who work with your child and their teachers will be able to use a wide range of resources and expertise. Our team includes:
- speech-language therapists
- learning support advisors
- psychologists
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- advisers on Deaf children
- Kaitakawaenga.
Resource Teachers: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB)
Schools also have access to the RTLB service. RTLB are specialist kaiako or teachers who each work across several schools and kura. They may work with groups of teachers, with school leaders, or directly with students to support learning and behaviour needs.
If your child is not enrolled at school or kura
We will help you find a suitable school or kura for your child. All children have the right to attend their local school. We know that being around other tamariki or rangatahi | young people is beneficial for learning and wellbeing.
Support plans
Some children and their whānau | families need tailored support plans. These are sometimes known as Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
Schools develop support plans with input from us where needed. They are focused on the needs and aspirations of the whānau and child.
The learning support team will work with other agencies to develop support plans alongside other services such as child development teams.
Learning support resources for parents
Incredible Years support programmes are for parents who are wanting to gain skills and confidence in developing their children’s social and emotional learning and communication skills. There is also a specific Incredible Years programme for parents of children who may have autism.
These programmes are government-funded and free.
Incredible Years programme – Te Kete Ipurangi
Incredible Years Autism programme – Te Kete Ipurangi
Our Inclusive Education website has guides to supporting diverse learners that are helpful to both teachers and parents.
