Operational Protocol - Ministry of Education and ACC
This protocol applies to school students who have cover under ACC legislation and who have special education needs.
On 1 June 2000 the Ministry of Education and ACC signed an operational protocol.
The protocol:
- applies to school students who, as a result of an accident, have cover under ACC legislation and have special education needs
- encourages and promotes cooperation, collaboration and coordination between all those working with the student
- clarifies funding and service provision responsibilities
- fosters effective support through an emphasis on identifying and overcoming barriers to achievement.
Why is there a need for a protocol?
- ACC and the Ministry of Education both fund specialist services and paraprofessional support for school students
- In the past, there have been gaps and overlaps in provision.
What will this protocol mean for students, their families/whānau, schools and service providers?
- ACC and the Ministry of Education will work together using a joint planning and service provision model
- The protocol will clarify funding responsibilities
- Interface queries will be resolved because there is an agreed framework of information.
How will this protocol affect funding?
The protocol clarifies the funding responsibilities of both agencies.
The Ministry of Education funds:
- specialist services for students in any of the SE 2000 initiatives
- assistive equipment for students who meet the eligibility criteria
- transport for students who meet the eligibility criteria
- coordination both within the Education sector and as a joint partner across sectors
ACC funds:
- paraprofessional support
- specialist services which are not available from within SE 2000 initiatives
- additional specialist services and transport assistance where support from SE 2000 is not sufficient to enable ACC to meet its legislative responsibilities to claimants
The protocol includes a process for dispute resolution and will be monitored and reviewed to find out how effective it is and gauge the impact. It will also be reviewed if there is any change to Government policy with respect to special education policy or ACC legislation.
For further information and a copy of the Protocol document you can contact your local Ministry of Education office. The Protocol document can also be downloaded from the bottom of this page.