High and complex needs
What are 'high and complex' needs?
What do we mean by ‘high and complex’ needs?
When we talk about high and complex needs we mean:
- behaviours that cause a risk to the child or young person, or others
- needs so complex, or mixed up, that they cannot be met effectively by the usual local services
- ongoing and persistent needs that will take time to address
- intensive interventions are needed to make an improvement
- behaviours that place caregivers under extreme stress so they feel unable to provide care.
The needs of some children and young people are so complicated that they cannot be met by just one health, education or social service agency.
What are the HCN funding criteria?
To be accepted for HCN funding a child or young person must meet the following criteria:
- be under 21 years of age
- have high and complex needs
- be currently accessing all existing, locally available services
- have continuing unmet needs
- the unmet needs span two or more of the education; health and disability; and Child, Youth and Family sectors.
What can I do if I think a child may be eligible for HCN funded services?
- discuss the appropriateness of an application for HCN funding with your line manager/supervisor.
- talk to the HCN Advisor in your area
- talk with other members of the local interagency team who are working with the child or young person.
Applying for HCN funding
All service options need to be fully explored across agencies before deciding to apply for HCN funding.
HCN funding must be used to provide services in addition to those already being provided by families, communities and government agencies. HCN funding is for short-term and intensive services – it is not an alternative funding source for existing services.
Developing an application for HCN funding
Once the Interagency Management Group confirms that a child or young person accessing local services, has intense and unmet needs and has high local priority, it will ask the interagency team to complete the HCN funding application.
The application form is available electronically from the HCN Unit and can be downloaded from the HCN Unit’s website at www.hcn.govt.nz.
How does the HCN process work?
Applications are considered nationally to confirm a child meets the criteria for HCN funding. If an application is approved then a detailed and costed plan for the child or young person is developed.
Plans are also considered nationally, to ensure they will meet the individual’s needs and to allocate the additional funding. The plans and funding are reviewed quarterly to make sure they are helping the child or young person.