Child Development Services support children aged 0–16 years who have a disability or are not meeting their developmental milestones. These non-medical community-based services are designed to help your child reach their full potential.
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About your child’s development
All tamariki (children) develop at different rates. Sometimes parents, whānau or caregivers may be worried or have concerns about their child’s development.
If you are worried about your child’s development or behaviour, you can talk to:
- your Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse (such as Whānau Āwhina Plunket or Whānau Ora)
- your general practitioner (GP) or health professional
- a teacher or kaiako at your child’s kōhanga reo, preschool, daycare, kindergarten, school or college
- Ministry of Education, Learning Support external.
Early support can make a positive difference. So, it’s okay to ask for help at any time.
There are a range of services available. These may vary depending on where you live.
- Child development services provided by Disability Support Services (DSS)
- Early intervention services provided by the Ministry of Education Learning Support
- Early intervention services provided by community, health and non-government organisations.
What are Child Development Services?
Child Development Services (CDS) are community-based service teams of allied health professionals who work alongside children, their families or whānau.
Their goal is to support your child’s development so they can reach their full potential.
They:
- provide early intervention services
- support children and their whānau to participate fully in their communities
- work with other agencies to ensure your child gets the right support at the right time.
Your GP or Well Child nurse may suggest seeing a paediatrician and/or child development team.
Child development teams usually include a range of professionals, such as:
- Visiting neurodevelopment therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Social workers
- Speech–language therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Psychologists
- Cultural support workers
- Dietitians.
They also work with other service providers, such as education services, Needs Assessment Service Coordinators (NASCs), and Equipment and Modification Service providers.
How to access Child Development Services
Child Development Services are free, but you will need a referral to access them.
You can ask for a referral from:
- your general practitioner (GP) or health professional
- your Well Child nurse
- a Needs Assessment Service Coordination (NASC) service
- an Enabling Good Lives (EGL) site.
Other health, disability, education, and allied health professionals, or Oranga Tamariki, can also connect you to other services and supports which are available in your region.
Where Child Development Services are located
DSS funds Child Development Services across New Zealand. These services are delivered by either:
- Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora)
- Non-government organisations (NGOs)
Your child may be seen at a community facility, at home, at school or preschool, or in a clinic on hospital grounds.
Health New Zealand services
Health New Zealand provides Child Development Services in four regions and 20 districts:
- Northern Region: Northland, Waitematā, Auckland, Counties Manukau
- Midland | Te Manawa Taki: Waikato, Lakes (Rotorua & Taupō), Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Tairāwhiti
- Central | Te Ikaroa: Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay, Mid Central (Manawatū, Horowhenua, Tararua), Wairarapa, Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley (Wellington, Kāpiti, Hutt)
- South Island | Te Waipounamu: Nelson Marlborough, Canterbury, South Canterbury, West Coast, Southern (Otago & Southland)
Non-government organisations
The following non-government organisations (NGOs) also provide DSS-funded Child Development Services: