Address parent and whānau concerns, particularly around safety and making friends
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Getting to know, and involving, the student’s family/whānau and the community’
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Discuss processes and rules
Discuss processes and rules
Make time for in-depth discussion with the student and all members of the team.
Discuss any additional needs your student may have and how these will be catered for.
Your discussion may include:
- processes for contacting the school if there are any concerns about bullying
- school boundaries and safety measures that ensure students remain within the school grounds
- processes to ensure safety on school trip
- processes for storing and giving medication and for dealing with allergies or medical conditions
- familiarisation with the school rules
- developing a care plan or a health plan
- safety plans for eating and toileting.
Minimise parent anxiety
Minimise parent anxiety
Successful transitions minimise risks and anxiety.
- Ensure students and parents/whānau know who is who in the school.
- Provide names (with photos) and contact details of the team who will be working with the new student.
- Share contact details and set up a process for regular on-going contact with parents/whānau so that concerns can be addressed as they arise.
- Make a point of regularly calling the student’s home, blogging, or sharing a student’s work when they have done something positive.
Transfer supports
Transfer supports
As students transition between environments, identify specific supports and the way they are used to facilitate learning.
Plan to provide these in the new environment.
Use Social Stories™
Use Social Stories™
Create Social Stories™ that enable the student to practise strategies and behaviours that address specific situations of concern, and that support social interaction and participation.
- TKI ASD in Education website provides a Social Stories learning module for educators.
- Social Stories Creator and Library is a free download for iPhone and iPad
Useful resources
Useful resources
Groups that can support you
A list of national organisations that support students with additional needs and their families.
Learning support
Information for parents and caregivers on the learning support available to them and how to access it from the Ministry of Education
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Partner with the family/whānau”:
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Current page Address parent and whānau concerns
Return to the guide “Transitions – managing times of change”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Transitions – managing times of change
Strategies for action:
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Get to know the studentShow suggestions for Get to know the student
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Partner with the family/whānauShow suggestions for Partner with the family/whānau
- Identify parent and whānau needs
- Address parent and whānau concerns
- Seek parent knowledge
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Plan for successful transitions to schoolShow suggestions for Plan for successful transitions to school
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Prepare for a new student with additional needs in the classroomShow suggestions for Prepare for a new student with additional needs in the classroom