1. Strengthening inclusion and modernising learning support
Dr David Wales, National Director of Special Education Early Childhood Advisory Council 8 September 2016

2. What’s changing Moving from Moving to
Focus is on services & who delivers
A child-centred system
Tightly prescribed, siloed services
Limited early or tailored support
One simple process for access
Tailored support, as soon as possible
Parents and whānau not informed or involved in decisions
Collaboration with parents, whānau, teachers, professionals
Transitions are poorly managed
Transitions are planned, managed
Limited information available
Achievement information - for both individual learners and the system
Focus is on learner deficits
Language focuses on difference, is a barrier to an inclusive system.
One inclusive education system for all (not one for most and another for “special needs” learners)

3. Learning support system
With stronger systemic support
Teacher capability
Improved information
Clear accountabilities
Evidence-informed investment

4. Cabinet decisions in four areas
Measure performance and improve accountability
Improve investment decisions, including an initial focus on:
ORS
Communication Services
Behaviour Services
Deliver services more effectively
Change our language

5. Performance and accountability
Design one inclusive system for ALL learners, regardless of who delivers
NOT one system for most, with another for “special” learners
Work with the sector to define learning support success and sector- wide accountabilities:
Balance local relevance with tracking system performance
A more responsive system that adapts to local challenges needs:
Less prescriptive central management
Clear outcomes and better monitored accountabilities

6. Improving investment decisions
Improve investment decisions to ensure
the most suitable and effective learning
support happens as early as possible:
Clear evidence that early learning support can have greater benefits
Move resourcing to where services are proven and demand is forecast
Better information on volumes, costs and timeliness to inform investment
Improving investment decisions is complex and must be done in a considered and careful way

7. Thinking differently - investment
This graph is indicative only - better support for younger children is expected to lead to lower demand later on

8. Improving investment decisions
Cabinet has approved us looking at the
policy for:
The Ongoing Resourcing Scheme - particularly for 18 – 21 year olds, so support is targeted at the right students at the right time
Behaviour Services, for more flexibility
Communication Services, for the benefits of earlier intervention
We’ll report back to Cabinet

9. Delivering services better
The Ministry’s current services have evolved over many years:
Silos exist, access is difficult, innovation is harder to achieve
Changes will remove fragmentation and simplify access to services and decisions
The new approach:
Is child-centred (not service driven)
Is collaborative (involving teachers, parents, whānau, others)
Has learning plans for individuals
Has a single point of contact and accountability
We’re supporting establishment of the new Ministry of Vulnerable Children

10. Changing our language We’re modifying our every day language
The Ministry is moving away from terms like “special needs” and “special education”
These accentuate difference and can act as a powerful barrier to a fully inclusive education system
“Inclusive education” and “learning support” better describe the support we want to provide all children and young people
Cabinet has agreed to further work being done in the implications of changing special education terminology to improve the inclusiveness of the education system

11. Learning Support Update Next steps
Work to support Investing in Children developments and the new Ministry of Vulnerable Children
From 2017 – implement the Ministry’s modernised learning support structure
March report back to Cabinet on any proposed policy changes (ie ORS, Behaviour Services and Communication Services) and progress with implementation

12. More information www.education.govt.nz
initiatives/learning-support-update/
education/information-releases/learning-support-update/
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