Introduced in 2012, IWS is an intensive, individualised service that supports children and young people with high and complex behavioural and learning needs. Students in the scheme are supported to stay at, or return to, their local schools, behave in a positive and social way and enjoy a successful home and school life by facilitators who work with them, their families, local schools and other government agencies.
IWS was developed after extensive consultation with Māori and Pasifika focus groups to match the New Zealand cultural context.
The review of the service was conducted by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, which evaluated the case files of 28 students and surveyed IWS team members, teachers and principals.
It found that that while progress for some students took longer than others, the service was delivering improved learning outcomes and independent living skills, and was being positively received by families and whanau.
IWS is also providing strategies for parents to support their children and empowering them to work constructively with schools and other government agencies.
The service is part of the Ministry’s wider Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) initiative.
Read the evaluation report on the EdCounts website.
Go to the Intensive Wraparound Service page to find out more including case studies and results.