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, ongoing level of need (around 1 in 100 students) the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) will provide 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
• learning support advisors

These specialists work as part of a team with you and your child’s teachers. They plan and put in place a learning programme that aims to meet your child's social, physical and learning needs.

Additional or specialist teachers

These are specialist teachers who work with you and your child’s teacher to plan and put in place an inclusive learning and wellbeing programme.

Teacher aides

Teacher aides support the teacher to maximise your child's participation and learning within the everyday activities of the classroom. 

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 Ministry of Education website.

See more KidsHealth information about learning support

Find out what learning support is

See the KidsHealth page on learning support before your child goes to school

See the KidsHealth page on learning support when your child is at school

See the KidsHealth page about learning support when your child has high health needs