Parent Advisory Service for Special Education

This is important information for all parents with children with high needs in the wider Dunedin area.

The New Zealand Ministry of Education, Special Education has contracted The Family Network to provide a parents advisory service for the wider Dunedin area.

The purpose is:

• to provide information and advice and/or guidance to parents on special education issues - initially targeting those families with high needs children, with a focus on the early years 0-7 years.
• to raise awareness of the family perspective for others working alongside families with special education needs within the education sector.

This initiative is in response to a clear parent voice over recent years for a support system for parents that strengthens and supports parents to effectively navigate the education network.

The emphasis, in the first instance, is to support parents in the transition from early childhood to school but as the role develops it will encompass more families across the education system.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further please contact the Parent Advisor.

Transition Project

The Ministry of Education is currently leading a project which looks at transition from schooling for high needs students in Dunedin. Upon invitation The Family Network nominated Barb Gee and Claire Doig to be part of a steering group for this project. Sue Gates (The Family Network President) is also involved in her role as Donald Beasley Institute researcher.

The role of the steering group is to define the future vision for secondary education and transition for secondary students with high needs in Dunedin, including the principles and the values that underpin this vision.

Thank you so much to all those parents and interested others who came along to the Consultation meetings held recently. As always your input was crucial to ensuring this process is focused on meeting the transition needs of families and young adults in our area.

There has been steady progress, so watch this space for further developments.

A video was developed to help explain the issues from a range of perspectives. We thoroughly recommend you view the video on transition as it does give good background information.

If you would like more information about this project please feel free to contact Claire, Barb or Sue or Patrick Crowley, District Manager, Special Education, Ministry of Education at telephone +64 (0)3 467 7945.