Early Intervention TRANSITION

The Early Intervention Referral process was developed collaboratively between RTLB and the Ministry of Education (MoE). This process is designed to facilitate transitions from early childhood centres, involving one or more Learning Support key workers, such as an Early Intervention Teacher (EIT), Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), or Psychologist and key liaison or Transition RTLB.

Informed Consent:

RTLB are responsible for submitting the referral once the parent consent form has been received. Parents must be fully informed about the process and will be invited to consent to the following:

Information about their child being shared between RTLB and the school, for the purpose of transition to school.
Continued provision of MoE Learning Support.
RTLB observing their child.
RTLB attending transition meetings in respect of their child.
Their child's information being entered on the RTLB database.

Once a liaison RTLB receives consent from the Learning Support key worker, it is the RTLB’s responsibility to create and submit an Early Intervention Transition Request for support on the database.

Download the Consent form here:

LEARNING SUPPORT (TRANSITION TO SCHOOL) GUIDELINES - for students identified receiving EIS with additional transition needs.

The following timelines and protocols should be followed:

6-12 weeks prior to school entry:

Learning Support key worker (EIT/SLT/Psychologist):

discusses starting school with whānau with parental consent and contacts Principal/SENCo/LSC to inform them that student is transitioning into school.
Talks with the SENCo/LSC about how we work in transition through He Pikorua.
Considers health and safety needs of learners in the new context and consults with their service managers as needed.
Completes 'Informed Consent for Parents' form for RTLB and the school to be involved in the transition.
Emails signed ‘Informed Consent for Parents’ form to Key Liaison RTLB and SENCo/LSC.
Link to RTLB Key liaison contact details.
RTLB places the Request for Transition Support on the RTLB database.

6 school weeks prior to school start date:

Learning Support key worker and/or SENCO/LSC arrange initial meeting. At the meeting:

RTLB (Key liaison RTLB or Transition support RTLB) involvement begins & RTLB are introduced to the whānau and they confirm consent.

team (this may include whānau, EIT, RTLB, ECE, SLT, Psychologist, SENCo/LSC, and other appropriate professionals) completes the transition to school plan to support the needs of the unique learner.

School team including teacher, LSC/SENCo & RTLB aim to visit pre-school MOE Learning Support Key Worker.

Team negotiates frequency of the child’s transition visits to school

Team negotiates the frequency and purpose of the EIT, SLT, and RTLB visits to classrooms

Set transition review date for 4-6 weeks after the student starts school; if additional transition support time is required this is negotiated with services.

School start date:

SENCo/LSC takes over co-ordination of the transition plan

Transition team liaise with SENCo/LSC and support implementation of the plan

MOE Learning Support Early Intervention Team and RTLB support the transition to school for 4-6 weeks after starting school.

At the end of the process of transition, between 4-6 weeks after the child started school:

SENCo/LSC co-ordinates the transition review meeting

Review the ‘Transition to School Plan’ and set next goals

Decision made for ongoing additional support – can the school meet the learner's needs now?

If the school environment can meet the needs of the learner at this time – services step aside.

If the learner has ongoing significant needs, and the school requires support to implement strategies to enable their participation and learning, negotiation of professional’s role is initiated by the team.

High communication needs - Speech and Language Therapist

Moderate behaviour and learning - RTLB (consent at meeting)

Severe and challenging behaviour – Psychologist MOE

Transition less than 6 weeks prior to school:

MOE Learning Support team contacts the Key Liaison/Transition Support RTLB and discusses ways to support transition process (as above) given the limited timeframe.

Download the Transition to School Plan here: