1st St John’s Scout Group Special Needs Policy

In the past, acceptance of children who have special needs has been based simply on discussions with the parent and informal assessment during meetings. The 1st St. John’s Group Executive Committee has identified the need to formalize a policy for acceptance and ongoing membership of a child with special needs, including progression from one unit to the next. The application of this policy is not intended as a judgement on the severity of any disability and is applied in all cases.

Our starting point for the policy is The Scout Association’s Policy Organisation & Rules (POR) Key Policies section on Equal Opportunities. This states:-

The Equal Opportunities Policy

Young People
The Scout Association is part of a worldwide educational youth movement. The values, which underpin and inspire its work are embodied in the Scout Promise and Law and in the Purpose of the Association. Within this framework, the Association is committed to equality of opportunity for all young people. Accordingly:

• The Scout Association is committed to extending Scouting, its Purpose and
  Method to young people in all parts of society.
• No young person should receive less favourable treatment on the basis of, nor
  suffer disadvantage by reason of:
  • Class or socio-economic status;
  • ethnic origin, nationality (or statelessness) or race;
  • gender (including gender reassignment);
  • marital or civil partnership status;
  • sexual orientation;
  • disability (including mental or physical ability);
  • political belief;
  • pregnancy;
  • religion or belief (including the absence of belief)

All Members of the Movement should seek to practise that equality, especially in promoting access to Scouting for all young people.
All volunteers should make reasonable adjustments where possible to support all young people with disabilities to access Scouting.

Reasonable Adjustments

“Reasonable adjustments” means actions to enable young people with disabilities to access Scouting and Scouting activities, as far as reasonably possible, to the same level as young people without disabilities.
This should involve working in partnership with parents/carers, to identify needs and plan support strategies.
Reasonable steps should also be taken to identify any young people with disabilities in the Section/Group.

How to make reasonable adjustments

Reasonable adjustments should respond to the needs of the individual young person and aim to remove any barriers, or support access, by making changes to;

• Physical environment (e.g. the meeting place)
• The way things are done (e.g. age range flexibility, the Programme, routines)
• The support provided (e.g. equipment, adapting communication, the level of
  support)

These considerations should be explored in detail, in consultation with the young person’s parents/ carers, within reasonable limits.

The situation should be regularly reviewed, to ensure that the planned adjustments are still responding to the needs of the young person and being implemented effectively.

What is reasonable is dependent upon the effectiveness of the adjustment, whether it can actually be done; and the cost and resources available to the Group at that time.
“Reasonable adjustments” is a legal term which recognises that each Group will have different practical resources to meet the needs of an individual young person.

For example, if a young person requires continual 1:1 support to fully participate in
Scouting, and their parent/carer is able to attend to offer this level of support, it is
reasonable that the Group supports this adjustment. However, if the parent/carer is
not able to provide this and a professional carer is required as the 1:1, it would be
unreasonable for the Group to be expected to finance this level of support on a
weekly basis.
Another example is, where a young person who uses a wheelchair joins the Group, it
is likely to be reasonable for the Group to provide a moveable ramp. It is likely to be
unreasonable for the Group to provide an electronic lift due to cost, or to fit a
permanent ramp if the Group do not own the meeting place.
It is best practice to consider the reasonable adjustment framework every time a
young person with additional needs joins the Group. Every young person has unique
needs, and this must be considered within the reasonable adjustment framework.
Making reasonable adjustments is an on-going duty and should be regularly
reviewed.

How the Group will implement this policy

For any child, when first wishing to join the beavers (or any other section) we will give you a form requesting (among other things) information about medical conditions and dietary requirements. It is essential for your child’s wellbeing that you inform us of any and all conditions that may affect his or her participation in group activities. When special needs are involved, a meeting with the parents may be requested and a risk review carried out, prior to offering the child a place.

A child will be offered the opportunity (paying the standard £15 trial payment) to attend the section for three sessions, with no commitment, to see if they enjoy the meetings and the environment. Each week during the trial, the leader will discuss the outcome with you and after the trial we will confirm whether we can offer the child a place.
If the child’s condition incurs repeated or prolonged absence, the trial may be extended to a term. If, at any time, a leader feels it necessary they may request another meeting with the parents.

If support is needed because of additional needs, we will agree that support and, if necessary, endeavour to agree with you any additional reasonable adjustments that can and should be made. This may include additional adult support. If it is not possible for the leader to agree reasonable adjustments, or adjustments may be costly, the leader should refer the case to the Executive Committee for further consideration. The District team will also be consulted as they may be able to recommend a Group that is better able to accommodate the child. Any reasonable adjustments to be made will be confirmed to you in writing.

The situation will be reviewed with you at the beginning of each year, and the above process will be repeated when the child progresses from one section to the next, e.g. Beavers to Cubs. A co-ordinator will host the child for the first few weeks in the new unit.

The safety of your child is paramount. However, it is important that the safety of other group members and the ability of the leaders to run the section are not compromised. Ultimately, whilst we would never want to exclude a child, the Group has the right to refuse acceptance if these factors cannot be guaranteed.

If the decision, following the trial period and the above processes, is that the Group cannot accommodate the child we will discuss the reasons with you.

If parents or leaders require further help or wish to refer the decision, please email
specialneeds@surrey-scouts.org.uk which will bring your request to the attention of the
Surrey Scouts Special Needs Team who will do their best to assist you.