Very High Needs service for people with a disability or health conditions

If you have a disability or health condition, including a mental health condition or neurodiversity, and were assessed at school as Very High Needs under the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) you may be able to access a service to support you with community participation and inclusion.

We have contracted experienced Very High Needs providers who can support you to participate more in your community. Our providers are experts in supporting people with a wide range of disabilities and health conditions.

The availability of these services is limited. You'll need to contact your local Community Participation Service provider and check if they have a funded spot available. In many cases they will also check your eligibility with MSD.

Who can get it

This service is only for people assessed at school as Very High Needs under ORS who face barriers or require support to engage in activities in their community between 9am-3pm Monday to Friday. These activities can include those that support employment preparation, training, or community participation.

You can use Very High Needs Service if:

• you were assessed at school as Very High Needs under ORS
• you are not currently in work, and
• you are not ready to go into work, and
• you're currently living in New Zealand, and
• you're a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident, and
• you've left school.
• You did not undertake a formal deinstitutionalisation process (Whaikaha support you).

While you don't need to be getting a benefit to use Very High Needs Service priority will be given to those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to participate in their community.

What you can get

Very High Needs Service providers can help you to:

• develop skills for daily living and participating in the community,
• make a contribution to the community through voluntary work,
• achieve valued roles such as student, teacher, teammate, parent, spokesperson,
• participate in your culture,
• take part in work experience and/or work- related skills training,
• identify appropriate employment opportunities,
• gain and maintain paid employment or self-employments,
• maintain and extend friendships and social and support networks.

How to apply

You'll need to contact a Community Participation Service provider and check if they have a spot available. They will also check your eligibility with MSD. Find a provider in your area here:

The provider will let you know if they have a funded spot available, how they'll work with you and help you develop a plan around how they support you with participation and inclusion.