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Who can apply#
The application form can be completed by:
- a class teacher
- special education needs coordinator (SENCO)
- learning support coordinator (LSC) or
- resource teacher learning and behaviour (RTLB).
They will work with the whānau | families, parents, specialists, teachers and others who know the student well to understand the student's needs. They will write the application and submit it using the online form available on Education Sector Logon (ESL).
What students are eligible#
Ākonga | students are eligible when they meet at least 1 of 9 criteria. The criteria are outlined in our guidance.
It is important to identify which criteria the student meets. You will need to give evidence for why the student meets this in the application.
When to apply#
Many students will have already been approved for ORS before they start school. Students who start school without ORS funding can have applications made for them at any point during their schooling.
Applications for school students may be appropriate if the student is:
- 5 to 6 years old and had little or no involvement in early childhood education
- a new immigrant or returning with their families from overseas
- identified as having a significant rise in their level of need.
Application process#
School educators should prepare the application in collaboration with whānau, parents and the team around the child. Writers of the application should have worked with the student directly where possible and know them well.
To fill out an ORS application form, you need to gather information about the student’s learning support needs. The application should tell a story of the student's needs in the context of the classroom. Include what they can and can't do in the classroom.
Read the ORS information sheet before you start the application process and for guidance as you complete the application.
Information we do not need to support an application#
We do not need formal cognitive assessments or a medical diagnosis to determine if your child meets the criteria.
Students are not approved based on complexity (for example, partly meeting some criteria but not meeting any 1 criterion completely). They are eligible once they meet at least 1 of the criteria.
Additional documents
Verifiers have a limited time to assess each application. Additional documents included should be directly relevant to the criteria. For example, an audiogram should be referenced in your application – 'please refer to document 2, page 3 paragraph 4'.
Avoid sharing photos of the student as this is an unnecessary breach of their privacy and makes them more identifiable.
If you attach multiple documents without referencing the evidence within them, it is likely they will not be reviewed by verifiers. You should not use these as standalone evidence that you meet the criteria. The text in the written application should clearly show the student meets the ORS criteria.
Completing the application form#
Apply using the digital application form available on ESL.
Digital application form – Online services
If you do not have an ESL, complete 1 of the forms below.
Once the above form is complete, email it to us or contact your regional office.
Email: [email protected]
Find out more about requesting learning support.
Peer review#
It is highly recommended that you get a peer review of the application before you submit it to us. A peer reviewer can be anyone who can provide honest and objective feedback. The reviewer does not need to know the student. Schools that are part of a cluster could use a person from another school in the cluster to do the peer review.
After applying#
Your application will be assessed by 3 ORS verifiers. Each verifier will consider the application independently. If the 3 verifiers are unable to reach an agreement, the application is considered independently by a full panel of verifiers.
Verifiers consider the information in an ORS application against the ORS criteria to make a decision.
The assessment may take at least up to 30 working days but can be longer in some cases.
Request for more information#
In some cases, the verifiers need more information or clarification to make a decision.
Observation visit#
Observations are only completed when the verifiers cannot make a decision based on the information provided to them. Observation visits take a day. 2 verifiers will visit the school to observe the student, meet with key school staff and the parents to gather information about the student.
An observation report is created and shared with the other verifiers to support their decision-making. It is reviewed along with all the other information in the application process to inform an assessment decision.
Notification of our decision#
Once the verifiers make a decision, an email letter is sent to the school and parents or caregiver. We will explain the reasons for our decision in the letter.
If the application is declined, we will provide some of the key reasons for our decision. If you disagree, your school can request a review. Information about the next steps will be in the letter you will receive.
You can reapply for ORS funding at any time for students if their circumstances have changed or if there is more information to add to their application.
Help and support in the community#
The New Zealand Government and Health Professionals websites have information about transition after schooling.
