Transition to independent living
Guides & agencies to support the transition to independent living
When rangatahi have reached a stage where they need to transition to independent living it can be an anxious time for all involved.
Below is a list of agencies that can support you with this next stage of your child's life.
How to Guides- Downloadable
Ministry of Education - Preparing to leave school Leaving school is an important step for all young people. It can be exciting and stressful. This booklet is for parents of young people on the next steps.
Family Works - Transitioning guide A guide to help support transitioning your young person to independence, pages to record information and plenty of guides to success. This booklet came about as there was an identified need for all the essential information on transitioning to independence to be in one easily accessible place.
Ministry of Education Transition Guidelines MOE Guidelines for transitioning students with special needs from school to adult life.
Nationwide support organisations
Choices NZ - Community-driven agency that works with you to connect with people and resources relevant to things that interest you.
Whether you are transitioning from school to employment, or wanting to develop a new skill, you can have complete confidence that Choices NZ will be with you every step along the way.
CCS Disability Action - Are at the forefront of service provision, advocacy and information sharing in the disability sector. We partner with disabled people, their families and whānau to enable them to have choice and control in their lives. Our vision is to see every disabled person and whānau hauā interwoven into the lives of their whānau and community.
Driving Miss Daisy - Provide a caring, safe, and reliable companion driving service. Provide Total Mobility Scheme in most regions throughout New Zealand. This is a subsidized transportation scheme administered by local regional councils and the government.
Access Community Health - Specialize in home-based healthcare and support. We work with Whaikaha, Te Whatu Ora, ACC, General Practices across the country, and other providers, to support people nationwide to live independently in their own homes.
IHC Services - Advocates for the rights, inclusion, and welfare of all people with intellectual disabilities. It supports them to live satisfying lives in the community. IHC provides advocacy, volunteering, events, membership associations and fundraising.
Supported Housing Kaingaora.- Supported Housing provides invaluable housing and support for people with intellectual disabilities, physically disabled people, people at risk of becoming homeless, people with mental health problems, people who have experienced domestic abuse, prisoners reintegrating into society, and many others.
Work and Income - Mainstream programme- If you have a disability or health condition, including a mental health condition or neurodiversity, and you want to work, you can apply to join one of the Mainstream programes. The programes can help you get into paid work and support you towards getting a long-term job.
Enabling Good Lives - The aim of the Enabling Good Lives approach is for disabled people to feel included in their local community; for government funding of disability support services to be timely, integrated, and flexible; and for government agencies to work together to fund person-centered services that support disabled people to live.
Spectrum Care- Work with individuals to identify their strengths and how best to empower their capabilities so they can live independent and fulfilling lives
IDEA Services - This is New Zealand's largest provider of services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. We will provide you with specialist support that may be for part of the time or all the time
Recreate NZ- Run high-quality social and recreational programmes for youth with intellectual disabilities. We are a youth disability provider of life-changing experiences for young people with disabilities
Manawanui - Supports people with self-directed disability funding options and is the leading host provider of Individualized Funding (IF).
North Island
Your Way | Kia Roha Waikato - Is a charitable trust dedicated to helping disabled people thrive, living the lives they choose in their Waikato community
Taikura Trust- Provide support to disabled people under 65 years and their families and carers in the Auckland Region
South Island
Aspire Canterbury - This directory provides contact details and descriptions of disability and health related groups throughout Christchurch and wider Canterbury.
For annual transition events click the links below for current information.
