Disability Support Services provide transition services to help people with ORS (Ongoing Resource Scheme) funding who are between the ages of 16-21 years transition out of school. This includes planning for work, further study or community opportunities.
- Transition Service is a free Government service for students with VHN or HN ORS funding
- Non-ORS funded students can access a transition service (via Transition Co-ordinators or via an organisation like Flying Kites/Real World Living/Geneva), but there will be a charge for this.
- The transition service is for one year and is available between the ages of 16 years and the year in which a student turns 18 years (mainstream school) and/or 21 years (at mainstream or special school)
- Your school should help you find a Transition Service and/or Co-ordinator to work with – there are 6 Transition providers in Auckland
- You can choose who you want to work with and you can change if you are not happy with their service
- The funded transition service can be “paused” but there is generally a maximum of two years total
Opportunities for post school include:
- Mainstream community activities
- Vocational Day Community Service (day programme)
- Employment – supported or unsupported
- Tertiary Education – vocational/life skills/academic
- Volunteering
- Business Enterprises e.g. Altus, Attainable, Abilities
- Setting up a microenterprise
- Disability Information Advisory Service (DIAS) – Disability Connect – Newsletter
- Support Groups – Meeting other parents
How to find and work with a Transition Co-ordinator
The best time to start looking for a Transition Co-ordinator is about 18 months – 2 years before the student intends leaving school.
There are 6 organisations who provide Transition Co-ordinators. You can ask your school for a recommendation or you can phone/email the Transition Co-ordinators listed below to ask about their services. It is worthwhile to take your time to select a Co-ordinator, and to find someone who knows the region you live in – everybody is different, so it is important to work with someone who you gel with.
Autism NZ – Elizabeth Mills
CCS Auckland – Daniel Maseege
Deaf Aotearoa NZ
Explore – Barbara Mercer – Barbara.Mercer@explore.org.nz
Explore – Thomas Clark – Thomas.Clark@explore.org.nz
Explore – Sheila Cloete – Sheila.Cloete@explore.org.nz (works with Deaf students)
Hohepa Auckland – Cecilia Makasini
Real World Living – Marian Galvin – marian@realworldliving.co.nz
Real World Living – Sanet Bleeker – sanet@realworldliving.co.nz
Real World Living – Sarah Allan – sarah@realworldliving.co.nz
Spectrum Trust – Julie-Anne Quinney
Once you have decided to work with a Transition Co-ordinator they meet with you to discuss options, and they will ask you to sign an agreement that you are working with them. The one year period of assistance begins once the contract is signed.
What to expect?
The transition co-ordinator should ask you about goals for post school and explain the different support and services available.
This can include information about education, employment, supported employment, vocational (day) programmes, total mobility cards, and preparation for a needs assessment post school.
Very High Needs
If you have Very High Needs Funding, this funding transfers from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Social Development for the young person to use once they finish school. The Transition Co-ordinator can facilitate this process.
You have a choice whether to use the VHN funding to pay directly to contracted services (e.g. one or more day programmes) – the amount will purchase approximately 2 or 3 days at a day progamme. This will depend on the service you choose or the hours they provide. The contracted provider will receive the payment directly.
If the contracted options are not suitable you may have the funding added to Individualised Funding to create your own programme. Please note, that there are currently only 2 hosts who offer this service – Manawanui and Enliven. The host will contact you to explain the conditions of use for VHN MSD funding. This is different to other IF streams of funding and the main purpose is for the young person to engage in their community on a regular basis. This could mean that you use it to purchase a range of activities e.g. Riding for Disabled, Phab, Sports or you could engage a support worker to take the young person into regular community activities.
High Needs ORS
For those who have High Needs ORS, this funding does not transfer with the person. This means it is important that when you do a needs assessment prior to leaving school, that you are reassessed for additional support hours if these are going to be needed.
If the young person is not going into education or employment, but using a day programme, then you may need to pay for these services. The contracted services are bulk funded by MSD, but there may be a cost for additional activities or outings, or if a 1:1 support worker is needed.
Employment service for secondary school students with a disability or health condition
Employment Service in Schools is for secondary school students who have a disability or health condition, including mental health condition or neurodiversity. This pilot service helps the students, their family or whānau, and school plan for their future and explore job and career opportunities.
Working with the Ministry of Education, we have contracted providers in Otago-Southland, Canterbury, Wellington, Waikato, and parts of Auckland. These providers are experts in preparing people for work and finding job opportunities. Their focus is on preparing students for employment through skill development and work experience or job trials.
This service is a pilot and will be available until 30 June 2027.
Who can take part
You can take part in Employment Service in Schools if you:
- have a disability or health condition, including a mental health condition or neurodiversity, which:
- is likely to continue for six months or more, and
- may mean you have trouble getting into or finding work
and you are:
- a student aged 14 to 21 enrolled in English or Māori medium secondary school or kura, and you plan to leave school in the next two years, and
- finding out what job or type of work you would like
- living in Otago-Southland, Canterbury, Wellington, Waikato, or parts of Auckland, and
- a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident.
You don’t need to be getting a benefit to use Employment Service in Schools.
You won’t be able to take part in the service if you:
- can get funding from ACC to transition from school, or
- are currently getting funding from us through Transition Services.
If you’re already getting help through our Transition Service, and would like to move to Employment Service in Schools, please email us at Employment_Service_in_Schools@msd.govt.nz.
What you can get
With Employment Service in Schools, you’ll work with a provider in your area to get ready for when you leave school and go into a job or training for a job. The providers will help you to prepare people for work and finding job opportunities.
You’ll get help with things like:
- identifying what types of jobs you could do when you leave school
- finding information to help you make decisions
- finding out what job of type of work you would like
- creating your CV
- getting ready for interviews
- work experience
- getting a part-time job while you’re at school.
The providers specialise in helping people who have a disability or health condition, including a mental health condition or neurodiversity. They’ll work with you, your family or whānau, school and other networks to help you plan your future.
How to apply
Talk to your teacher, your teaching support, or your careers advisor about Employment Service in Schools. They’ll let you know which providers are in your area, and help you and your family or whānau choose the right one.
You’ll need to complete the form (linked below) to apply, and get your parents/whānau, your school and the provider you’ve chosen to fill in the sections marked for them.
Once you’ve completed this form give it to the provider you’ve chosen. There are several providers available in each region. You and your family or whānau can choose the provider you want to work with.