Making an application

An educator takes responsibility for the application process.

The educator may be a class teacher, SENCO, teacher at a Regional Hospital Health School (RHHS), or an early intervention provider for a young child about to start school.

The educator completes the form with help from the parent/caregiver.

The educator must obtain up-to-date medical information from the child's medical specialist on Part D of the application form.

For details refer to Filling in the Form below.

Who decides on eligibility

The Ministry of Education's verifiers decide on a student's eligibility. The verifiers also decide on eligibility for other special education resources such as the Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS).

Processing the application

Each verifier independently considers the application and makes a decision. All the verifiers then discuss their decisions and reach a consensus about whether a student meets the criteria for the SHHNF.

If the verifiers have insufficient information, they will request specific details from the applicant by fax. They may seek the opinion of an independent paediatrician to help determine if a student meets the criteria.

It takes three weeks to process an application.

The Manager Eligibility notifies the decision in writing to both the applicant and the parent/caregiver.

Making further applications

If there is a significant change in a student's level of needs, a new application with proof of the changes can be submitted at any time.