NZSL Services

Roles within the NZSL Services Team

• CESW Practice Team

  Oversees the upskilling of Communication Education Support Workers (CESWs) through mentoring and teaching NZSL and other appropriate PLD. The CESWs are funded by NZSL@School but employed by the local school.

• NZSL@School Support Advisors (North & South)

  Works alongside a number of stakeholders to ensure Deaf/HH ākonga and their support teams receive the most appropriate NZSL resources.

• NZSL Tutor Team

  Provides hand-on support to our Deaf and hard of hearing tamariki and the ‘pod’ supporting that child. Supported by three Tutor Co-Leads and the NZSL Tutor Operational Lead.

• NZSL Administration Team

  Provides bilingual administration support for the NZSL Services Team.

• NZSL Assessment Practice Team

  Assesses NZSL development to inform and guide pedagogical practice and language development for the support team working with NZSL users in the mainstream.

• NZSL/Visual Communication Practice Lead

  Supports and mentors the use of various strategies (including NZSL) to facilitate more effective communication between Deaf and Hearing and growing stronger Deaf/hearing partnerships within our school and in local schools. Works alongside the NZSL Tutor Operational Lead to support best practice of NZSL Teaching.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this funding only applicable for students who receive ORS?

  No, any student who fits the criteria stipulated by the Ministry of Education is eligible.

• Who should submit the NZSL@School application form?

  The responsibility of submitting the form is that of the Principal/Deputy Principal of the school the student is enrolled in. This application should be completed collaboratively between the parents/whānau, the ākonga (where age-appropriate) and any other relevant members of the student's support team such as AoDC, RTD, SENCO.

• Once approved, does my school need to reapply for NZSL@School Funding?

  (We are currently reviewing and developing our reapplication process to streamline the continuation of service)

  From 2024 onwards, all NZSL@School Support, including NZSL tutor support, will need to be reapplied for annually. You can apply for funding at any time of the year, for example, when a New Entrant begins or if a Deaf or HoH student moves to your school mid-year. We begin asking for applications for the following school year in Term 3. Our aim is to inform schools of their funding for the following year with time to confirm any required staffing.
  
  

  On page 1 of the digital application form, you will be asked to choose if you are submitting your application for a student for the first time, or if you are reapplying to continue receiving this resource. The form will then populate accordingly, depending on the level of detail we require.

• Do I need to know my student’s ORS status before submitting an application?

  Yes, you will need to know the ORS (Ongoing Resourcing Scheme) status of your student before completing the application. This information is important as you will need to know the exact number of Teacher Aide hours of support your school is receiving for your student. There may be instances where you have submitted an ORS application but are still awaiting an outcome. If this is the case please contact us directly to discuss.

• One question on the form refers to receptive and expressive language, what does this mean?

  The application asks you to indicate what language your student uses at school and at home. This is either receptive or expressive language. Receptive language is the understanding of information provided in a variety of ways such as sounds and words; movement and gestures; and signs and symbols. Expressive language is our ability to communicate our thoughts and feelings through words, gestures, signs, and/or symbols.

• What is the difference between In Class support and Out of Class support? What sort of Out of Class activities are covered?

  In Class support refers to the normal, timetabled hours that a student is in the classroom. Out of Class refers to irregular and extra-curricular activities such as Kapa Haka, school camps, special school assemblies and prizegiving’s, which take place outside of the normal school day hours. Approved funding for school camps consists of three additional hours per day (3pm to 6pm) for each day of the camp. Additional hours worked during school camps/trips is paid from the schools’ operational funding from 6pm until 8am. Please note we are unable to fund any activities that are not part of the school’s educational and cultural program.

• What is the difference in roles between a Teacher Aide and a Communication/Education Support Worker? And why does this matter?

  The Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) funding is allocated to students so they can access the support of a Teacher Aide. The role of Teacher Aide does not require the ability to use NZSL. Students who meet the criteria to receive NZSL@School funding require specialist communication support through NZSL. The term Communication/Education Support Worker (CESW) was created to describe this specialist role.

  Please see the attached job description.

• When would we request an Educational Interpreter instead of a CESW for In Class Support?

  In some instances, the learning needs of the student cannot be met by the CESW resource. Please see the attached document that details the difference between these two roles.

  Differences between an EI and CESW

• Even though my student has a CESW, are there times that they will benefit from the additional support of an Educational Interpreter?

  An Educational Interpreter (EI) is appropriate in situations where the content of the information presented is more complex. We recognise there may be instances where an EI is required during the school day such as at an assembly when information is being delivered at a faster pace. Please note: for a student to benefit from an EI in these situations, they must have a high level of receptive NZSL.

• What support can an NZSL tutor offer?

  The NZSL tutor provides instruction on learning and using NZSL for the student, their classmates, the CESW, family/whānau and class teachers.
  

• What is Supplementary Access Funding (SAF)?

  The ORS T/A contribution your school receives is often not enough to cover the actual hourly rate you pay your CESW. For example, the ORS hourly rate that your school receives may be $23, but the actual hourly rate of the CESW may be $26. From 2023 NZSL@School has covered the shortfall between the ORS funding and the actual hourly rate of the CESW. This additional funding is called Supplementary Access Funding.

  Please see table for a visual breakdown of this.

• Why does the application form ask us to name other team members involved with the completion of the form?

  The funding agreement for approved applications is between Ko Taku Reo and your school. However, you can request that other associates or professionals working with the student (within your organisation) are informed of the outcome. It is the school's responsibility to inform the student’s family/whānau of the result of the application.

• Can partially completed applications be submitted?

  All applications must be completed in full, except for those awaiting ORS confirmation (see question 5).

• What does NZSL@School funding not cover?

  Please note: NZSL@School funding does not cover
  

  • Communication / Education Support Workers (CESW) time used in other areas of the school or with other students
  • Breaks
  • Teacher Only Days
  • Travel (including mileage)
  • ACC levies
  • KIT Days
  • Holiday pay
  • Leave (study leave, bereavement leave, etc)
  • Interpreter support for parents attending IEPs
  • Non-curriculum related events occurring outside of school hours
  • Time students spend in NZSL Day school/ Hub
  • Any overnight trips*

  *NZSL@School support will provide additional top-up funds for the hours 3pm-6pm at the CESW’s hourly rate if they are attending a school camp. Please see NZSTA Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement for further details.
  

  
  

• What if a student is moving schools?

  The new school will need to submit an application for the student. We would hope that the current school will assist them in this process. Please note that service may differ at the new school, depending on available resources.

• What is a Language Model?

  Based on research and best practices in language acquisition, we are offering NZSL tutors as Language Models (LMs) to students to further enhance NZSL learning in the classroom and school environment.

  Language Models follow the student through their day-to-day classroom activities, providing real-time NZSL support, unpacking concepts, and introducing new vocabulary in context. This approach allows the student to be immersed in fluent NZSL throughout their session, ensuring that language learning is integrated into activities that are meaningful and relevant to them. It offers the Communication and Education Support Worker (CESW) a chance to learn new signs, ask questions, and engage with a native NZSL user and the student to observe NZSL in conversation. It also provides valuable time for the wider class to interact with a Deaf adult, immersing them in NZSL and Deaf culture. The LM is fully engaged in a hands-on role, actively supporting and working with the rest of the class and the Deaf student during this time.

  The Language Model joins classes for either a morning or afternoon session for up to three hours.

  At this stage, we can only offer Language Models to students attending primary school. Delivery of this service is resource dependent.
  

• Apply Now!

  Applications for NZSL@School funding

• NZSL@School Funding - FAQs