What the Early Intervention Specialist Service does#

The Early Intervention Specialist Service (EISS) is a learning support service funded by us. It is provided by our Early Intervention Service (EIS) and other service providers. 

EISS provides specialised early intervention support for mokopuna | children from birth to the end of Year 1 at school that is tailored to a child's needs. It supports children with their development, and participation and progress at school and at home.

Who is eligible for EISS#

Your child may be eligible for EISS from birth to the end of Year 1 at school if they have high and complex developmental, communication, or behavioural needs that they need more support with.

How to get EISS support#

Your education or health provider may talk to you about your child’s needs and the support available for them. You can also talk directly to:

• your early learning service – speak with your child’s early childhood educator
• your child’s school – discuss your child's needs with their teacher, or the school’s Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) or Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
• a healthcare provider – such as your GP, Whānau Āwhina Plunket, or Well Child Tamariki Ora
• your regional Ministry of Education office – our learning support team can help you understand what support is available and guide you through the next steps. 

Find contact details for our regional offices.  

Regional offices

What to expect#

If your child is eligible for EISS support, we will help you to make informed decisions about who provides that support.

You will be given information about the services available in your local area. This information includes:

• differences in how support is delivered
• current wait times
• provider availability. 

The EISS service journey graphic below outlines key steps, who is involved and what happens at each stage to support children and families.

What support your child will receive#

EISS work alongside your whānau to help your child participate and learn within their everyday environment.  

Focusing on early intervention and whānau | family-centred support, it aims to support your child to:

• participate meaningfully in home, early learning, and school life
• strengthen their communication, social, and emotional capabilities
• receive support that improves their learning and wellbeing outcomes.

The factsheet below has more information for parents, caregivers, families and whānau about what EISS support looks like.