1206 Special Needs Report - 26 June 2012

Report to the BOT re Care and Education of Special Needs Children at Kaikohe East Primary School

Prepared By: Kaz Chamberlain  Date: June 2012

UPDATE

As of June 2012 we currently now have 8 ORS funded children. Some children are also funded through other avenues such as RTLB, CYFS, IRF, LSF and GSE. These are usually short term funding solutions while a child transitions or they are assessed further. All children continue to be mainstreamed with Aniwaniwa set up as a room to provide a place for additional learning programmes to support each child’s individual learning goals. GSE in Kaikohe provide support with IEP’s, applications and development of learning programmes. This year Kaz is on Study leave from Term 2 until the end of the year. Graeme Shaw has stepped into SENCO role for Term 2 and 3.

FUNDING

The ORRS funding contributes towards covering the cost of a teacher aide for the children that have Ors funding. The number of hours they are covered for is dependent on the needs of the child and the funding that has been allocated. Each child also comes with a small amount for resources and consumables. Some children go home at 1pm as for Health and Safety reasons it is not possible to keep them at school without a fulltime teacher aide. No child is full time funded by GSE. Funding is allocated to employ a teacher aide but also measured to ensure other costs are covered such as holiday paye and overtime for camps, IEPs and other school excursions or meetings that a teacher aide may be required to attend.

OTHER

·      Riding for the Disabled every Tuesday and Thursday for selected children.

·      Every second Thursday NZ sign language lessons at KES from 9 – 11am

·      Mattime in Aniwaniwa every Wednesday from 11.30 – 12.30pm

·      Each Friday is cooking in Aniwaniwa from 11.30 – 12.30.

·      IEP’s continue to happen throughout the year and are needs based prioritised.

·      Two children have begun this year are in wheelchairs. A property modification assessment has been completed by GSE and an application to the ministry to approve funding for these modifications has been submitted.

·      Mods include modifying doorways and walkways for wheelchair access, and a lift for the pool.

We have a positive approach at Kaikohe East and are very accepting of others with differences and just include them in everything we do with no problem. Our children with Special Needs are a valued part of our school.

BUDGET

Our budget as set at the end of last year is subject to changes as we have new staff and hours that come from RTLB funding, IRF and new GSE funding throughout the year. Budget adjusted if children leave or enrol.

Ors Teacher Aide Development – A budget has been set for spending in this area but due to it being hard find opportunities applicable to children’s needs in the Northland Area, this has not yet been spent although this is an area that is priority.

Looking Ahead : 2013 – some Ors funded children will be moving on to intermediate.

Code 3431  - Annual Budget is not fixed as new funding has been sourced since budget was first predicted. This will adjust accordingly as income balances what is outgoing.