IHC is encouraged by the Government’s commitment to learning support with a promised injection of $644 million announced by Finance Minister, Nicola Willis in today’s Budget. IHC Inclusive Education Lead Trish Grant says that this is something that families of disabled children have been wanting for decades and is a serious investment to help fix a broken system.

Of that overall amount, $266 million has been allocated to fund the extension of the Early Intervention service from early childhood through to the end of the first year of primary school. Trish says that this will deliver welcome relief to disabled students, their families and schools.

“IHC responds to many calls from families and whānau who have problems accessing the right support for their children when they transition to school. It is a real pressure point for them. Just last week, IHC was working with a family worried that their child would start school on the back foot, without the support that they had experienced at early childhood.”

“Wrap around, early and sustained support has been a long time coming. It will not only benefit children, families, whānau and schools now – it will also result in savings further down the track.” Trish says that schools can now be confident of stable resourcing in that critical first year as they get to know the child and consider what learning or other support may be needed.

IHC also welcomes the allocated $192 million to ensure that all year 1 to 8 schools can now have access to a Learning Support Coordinator. “Many children with disability have a range of support needs and the coordination of school, community and health supports is critical,” says Trish.

“While the previous government made a great start by providing Learning Support Coordinators to a quarter of schools, this announcement will ensure that all year 1 to 8 schools have access to a person to help coordinate the services and support that many children require.”

“We see these Budget announcements as being a great start. However, further investment will be required to most effectively support all disabled learners and their families.”

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