Early assessments changing children’s lives

A community initiative is transforming the educational journeys of children in the Mahurangi district by providing timely psychological assessments for students whose learning and behavioural needs might otherwise go undiagnosed for years.

The Rodney Health Charitable Trust (RHCT) has reported significant success in its programme to fund specialist assessments for primary school-aged children, helping families overcome one of the biggest barriers to support – the cost of diagnosis.

Many children experiencing learning difficulties, behavioural challenges, or both, require a formal psychological assessment before they can access targeted assistance. While the Ministry of Education ultimately provides ongoing support once a diagnosis is confirmed, obtaining that diagnosis can be an expensive process, often beyond the means of many families.

Health trust trustee Chris Murphy says that without funding, children can wait up to two years for a ministry-funded assessment.

“During that time, they frequently struggle academically and socially,” he says.

“Learning becomes increasingly difficult, friendships can be hard to form, and repeated experiences of failure and isolation can become their normal reality.”

The impacts are felt beyond the child themselves. Teachers often find disproportionate amounts of classroom time devoted to supporting undiagnosed students, creating challenges for the wider learning environment, and contributing to teacher stress and frustration.

Recognising this gap, the health trust launched a two-year pilot programme at Warkworth Primary School during 2023 and 2024. Following the pilot’s success, the initiative was expanded last year to include Snells Beach, Matakana, Leigh, Horizon, Kaipara and Pakiri schools.

Over the past three years, the trust has contributed around $220,000 towards specialist assessments.

When an assessment is done, schools can immediately implement strategies and learning plans tailored to the child’s needs. Just as importantly, the assessment meets Ministry of Education requirements, triggering access to funded support that can continue throughout the student’s primary and secondary schooling.

Trust representatives say early diagnosis has proven to be life-changing for many children and their families.

So far this year, 16 local children have been assessed and funded at a cost of about $67,000, with further applications expected.

Late last year, anticipating growing demand, the trust committed $60,000 towards the programme and appealed to the community for additional support.

Murphy says the response was encouraging. Generous donations from local individuals, families and organisations have raised a further $43,400. Contributors include Barnes Beagley Doherr (Ross McGuire), Geoff and Gloria Collier, Hugh and Jill Harvey, Alistair and Judy Mason, the Murphy family, the Palmer family, Rod Penny and Lynne McAllister, the Warkworth Bowls Club, the Warkworth Women’s Charitable Trust, and Donna and Murray Wyllie.

Murphy says that thanks to this support, funds remain available to meet the needs of children currently awaiting assessment.

However, trustees are concerned that existing funding is likely to be exhausted and additional public support will be needed to sustain the programme.

They say securing funding well in advance is critical, as specialist assessment services are in high demand and appointments can be difficult to obtain. Early commitments allow the trust to lock in professional services before availability becomes limited.

A trustee subcommittee has been established to oversee the programme and coordinate future fundraising efforts.

For more information about supporting the initiative, contact trust chair Sara Lewis (sara@kawaubayhealth.co.nz), or trustees Dr Warwick Palmer (warwickmargy@xtra.co.nz), Senior Constable Hamish Buick (hamish.buick@police.govt.nz) and Chris Murphy (chris@realliving.co.nz).