Surrey Scouts Special Needs Support Team Handbook for Leaders & Helpers

Transcription

1 [Revised February 2014] 1

2 CONTENTS Introduction Page 3 What do we offer? Page 4 What are Special Needs / Equal Opportunities Policy Page 5 First Steps before Joining Page 6 Risk Assessment Page 7 Example of an Application Form Page 8 Age Ranges Flexibility (Special Needs) Page 9 Check List for Group HQ s and other Facilities Page 10 Adapting the Programme / Special Groups Page 11 The use of EpiPens Page 12 Useful Resources Page 13 Surrey Scouts Special Needs Team Page 14 2

3 INTRODUCTION The main purpose of this booklet is to show you that there is a Support System in place for people with Special Needs and the Leaders / Helpers who are working with them. This consists of a dedicated team of advisers covering all Sections of Scouting. Over a considerable period of time we have learned the hard way that there are many pitfalls associated with Scouting and the inclusion of those with a wide range of Special Needs. As a result we have devised a set of guidelines which we recommend you follow when considering taking a young person with Special Needs into your Group or Section. When there is sufficient demand we run Leader / Helper training days called CASCADE. These days provide training for adults, in line with the current training programme, and cover the Special Needs aspect of Module 7 Scouting for All, and all of Modules 15 Challenging Behaviour and Module 36 Special Needs. However, you will still need to have these Modules validated after attending the course. These courses also include practical bases on Special Needs topics and to date have covered, Autism, Risk Assessments, Hearing Impairment, Inclusive Games, Allergies and Epipens. The purpose of these days is to explain how we think you can include young people with Special Needs in everyday Scouting, and also answer your queries in an informal and friendly setting. We hope that by providing this information it will enable even more people to enjoy the benefits of Scouting. Peter Hills ACC Special Needs 3

4 WHAT DO WE OFFER? The Surrey Scouts Special Needs Team is first and foremost a County and NOT a District resource. This means that you are free to contact ANY of the team listed in the County directory or by ing the address on the final page of this document for advice and guidance. We offer the following services; Advice on the suggested Joining Procedure for people with Special Needs A Team Member to accompany you when making an initial Home Visit and the subsequent meeting with your Leaders / Helpers. Guidance on the procedure to follow where a Section wishes to retain a young person with Special Needs beyond the normal age for moving on. Group / Section Talks on Special Needs Sign Language / Communication Evenings for all sections Module D Kids Behaving Badly and Module F Making Scouting Accessible input for Young Leaders CASCADE Leader Training days for those who would like to learn more or, An evening tailor-made to meet your requirements. Useful contacts for organisations who can help with specific medical conditions Guidance with Special Needs Risk Assessments Access to a Disability Discrimination Act Premises Inspection Form. Guidance on the use of Epipens Advice relating to Nights Away Experiences or, Just contact us for an informal chat 4

5 WHAT ARE SPECIAL NEEDS? The Aim of Scouting is to promote the development of individuals, enabling them to grow to their full potential. Everyone has Special Needs at times in their life. Identifying and providing for individual Special Needs is something to be actively encouraged, for everyone associated with the Scout Movement. A Special Need may prevent a person from participating fully in Scouting. It may only last for a limited period of time, for example, a broken arm, or recovering from a serious illness or social or family problems. It may be due to more permanent conditions e.g. chronic asthma, a heart defect, severe allergy, or a learning disability. However, with a little extra knowledge and planning the individual can participate fully in the programme of the Scout Movement. Equal Opportunities Policy Our equal opportunities policy states that no person should receive less favourable treatment because of their *age *class *ethnic origin, nationality (or statelessness) or race *gender *marital or sexual status *mental or physical ability *political or religious belief It is important that young people are seen as individuals and that they are regarded equally as Members of the Movement, whatever their abilities. All Members of the Movement should seek to practise that equality, especially in promoting access to Scouting for young people in all parts of society. 5

6 FIRST STEPS BEFORE JOINING The full suggested Joining Procedure is discussed at length at our CASCADE Training Days. Listed below is a very brief version of the procedure and you are encouraged to seek advice from the team before offering anyone with Special Needs a place in your Group. 1. Pay a home visit and allow enough time to carry this out thoroughly. You must ask every question you can think of so pre-plan these before your visit. 2. Identify EXACTLY what the Special Need is, including access to buildings. 3. Ask what level of personal care if any will be required. 4. Ask what will be required of your team in the event of an emergency arising. 5. Leave without offering the young person a place stating you now have to consult the others in your leadership team. 6. Carry out a Risk Assessment specific to that child and his / her disability. In the event you are unable to cover all apparent risks then either a) remove the risk or b) acknowledge you may not be able to offer a placement. Please seek advice from the SN Team if it appears you are unable to cover a particular risk or risks. 7. Talk with your Group Leaders / Helpers and address their concerns. The offer of a place should always be a Group decision. 8. If you are going to offer a place make it for a trial period (we recommend a scouting term) but do not delay investitures etc. Constant review of the placement should take place and problems should be addressed immediately. In the event the trial period is unsuccessful all parties should accept the final decision without question. 9. Use the application form on page DON T MAKE PROMISES YOU CAN T KEEP. Young people with Special Needs can bring a great deal to a Section or Group BUT if their joining is not handled sensitively this may create problems for others in the future. 6

7 RISK ASSESSMENTS When considering offering a place to a Young Person with Special Needs, it is recommended that a full Scouting Risk Assessment is carried out pertinent to their needs. This will help to identify areas of concern or whether the placement is viable. This partially completed example Risk Assessment is included for your guidance. SURREY SCOUTS ACTIVITY RISK ASSESSMENT FORM 1. Briefly outline the intended 2. Date and time of intended 3. Location of the intended activity. activity. activity. Section weekly meeting Monday evenings ***** HQ GU* 6MM January 14 Dec List all the hazards in order of significance. Lack of comprehension of instructions leading to unpredictable behaviour 5. List the groups of people who might be harmed. Cub Scouts/Leader/Helpers Visitors/ YP -SN 6. List the intended control measures with reference to the corresponding hazard. Short instructions, test comprehension of instructions before commencing activity. Walk/wander off-site YP-SN Designated adult for YP- SN 7. List any intended first aid provisions, fire precautions or other backup arrangements. 1 st Aider on site Designated adult for YP-SN Contact details for YP Telephone/Mobile phone Designated adult for YP-SN Contact details for YP Telephone/Mobile phone Name [block capitals]. Scouting appointment. 8 Organiser. Leader in charge CSL 9. Reviewer. GSL/DC Signature. Date. Example Risk Assessment for Young Person with Special Needs - ADHD "This form and notes on filling it in were prepared by Geoff Dunstan, Jonathan How and I. We hope that they are helpful to those who have to carry out a risk assessment on an activity that they are planning. We welcome comments on the design and content of these and feedback from users. I have agreed to be the contact for this purpose. David Kennedy - Safety in Scouting Co-ordinator" *Download Risk Assessment Form from Surrey Scouts Web site Popular Links Factsheets & Forms Special Needs Documents - Risk Assessment Form. 7

8 Application Form for entry to the Scout Movement GROUP NAME Full Name Date of Birth Religion Address Home Telephone Number School or College currently attended Hobbies and Interests Next of Kin Relationship Telephone Number (Daytime) Work Parent or Carer Telephone Number (Daytime) Work Hobbies / Interests Additional Contact Relationship Telephone Contact (Daytime) Work Hobbies / Interests Any previous Scouting Experience of any of the above named persons Please write below any information relating to your child that you feel the Leaders MUST know. E.g. Allergies, Dietary or Disability Needs Finally please bear in mind that we as Leaders are looking after YOUR child 8

9 AGE RANGES FLEXIBILITY (SPECIAL NEEDS) Factsheet FS250045, which can be obtained via the Internet or from the Resource Centre at Gilwell, should be completed and forwarded to the ACC Special Needs at the time intervals specified below. There are many occasions when for a variety of reasons Section Leaders feel that a young person with Special Needs is not ready to move on to the next section. The Scout Association recognises this may be the case and has therefore adopted a procedure to be followed in these cases. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BELOW GUIDELINES RELATE SOLELY TO YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND DO NOT AFFECT THE NORMAL GUIDELINES ON AGE RANGE FLEXIBILITY OUTLINED IN FS Beaver Scouts The form should be completed and sent to the ACC SN by the time the young person is aged 7yrs 9 months. 2. Cub Scouts The form should be completed and sent to the ACC SN by the time the young person is aged 9yrs 9 months. 3. Scouts The form should be completed and sent to the ACC SN by the time the young person is aged 13yrs 9 months. 4. Explorer Scouts The form should be completed and sent to the ACC SN by the time the young person is aged 17yrs 9 months. SADLY ONCE A YOUNG PERSON HAS REACHED THE AGE OF 18YRS NO FURTHER EXTENSIONS OF TIME MAY BE GRANTED AS THEY WILL NOW BE TREATED AS ADULT MEMBERS OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION. The above time scales will allow the ACC SN or one of the SN Team to visit the Section and talk with the Leaders, Parents and other interested parties to ensure the correct decision is made in the best interests of the young person concerned. The normal period of extension will not exceed 1 year and must be reviewed again at the end of any agreed period. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GSL OR SECTION LEADER TO INFORM THEIR DC AND TO ENSURE THESE FORMS ARE SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ABOVE GUIDELINES. 9

10 CHECK LIST FOR GROUP HEADQUARTERS AND OTHER FACILITIES 1. Is your meeting place suitable? A. Parking Close B. Pathways accessible C. Steps / Ramp D. Alternative to stairs E. Wide doorway / entrances F. Suitable Toilet access G. Equipment e.g. table height H. Adequate Lighting 2. Will you require extra finance for adaptations or equipment? - There could be grants available to assist with these. All HQ s should have completed a Disability Access Audit. In the event you have yet to do this download a form by going to Surrey Scouts Web site Popular Links Factsheets & Forms Special Needs Documents Premises Audit Form. You only have to complete this audit, identify and carry out any required changes, e.g. marking out a disabled parking bay. YOU DO NOT have to build ramps, put in disabled toilets etc unless there is an identified need. Please consult the Special Needs Team if you are unsure how to proceed. 10

11 ADAPTING THE PROGRAMME Programmes should be designed to be flexible to meet the needs of all young people and may be adapted if required. It is important to remember that changes made should be minimal to allow inclusion of a young person with Special Needs. Example; Cooking Outdoors Young person in a wheelchair. Adaptation required; preparation of food could take place on a tray on their lap (as appropriate) Gas Burner placed on a raised platform for easy access. Example; Battle Stations (indoors) Young Person with Hearing Impairment Adaptation; All instructions given in sign language using previously agreed signs. Contact the Special Needs Team for further help and programme advice. SPECIAL GROUPS Special Groups provide for those whose Special Need might otherwise prevent them from participating fully in Scouting. Special Groups follow the appropriate Scouting Programme. Please contact the Special Needs Team for details of these groups. 11

12 The Use of Epipens How many of you have been at a meeting, or loading the children to go to camp, when a parent or carer has thrust a box of medication into your hands with some garbled instructions on their use? Epipens fall firmly into this category. They are used to administer a dose of Adrenaline to a patient in the event of an Anaphylactic Shock. You need to know what to do to safeguard yourselves in the event you have to use an Epipen, using the guidelines below; Never accept Epipens from a parent or carer unless; 1. There are 2 Epipens in the container they provide. 2. Leaders / Helpers must know exactly which child owns those Epipens. Their name should be on them or their container, together with the instructions for use. 3. BEFORE taking possession of Epipens the Leader/Helper should ensure it is in date. 4. DO NOT offer to keep/store Epipens for a young person at your HQ. These items are the responsibility of the parents/carer and young person and should be brought by them to each meeting/event. 5. At least 3 people have been trained to use THAT Epipen on THAT child by the parent or carer and, 6. A written record of that training exists, signed by that parent or carer. 7. A written record must also be made in your HQ Accident Book if an Epipen has been used to treat a child. IN THE EVENT YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHILD WITH AN EPIPEN IN YOUR SECTION YOU MUST FOLLOW THE ABOVE GUIDELINES FOR EACH CHILD. YOU MAY NOT USE THE EPIPEN FOR ONE CHILD ON ANY OTHER. Also remember that an Epipen only buys you time, it is not a cure and medical help MUST be sought immediately. You must also contact the relevant Parent / Carer. 12

13 USEFUL RESOURCES 1. The Diversity Team at Gilwell on or Special Needs Fact Sheets Currently available from the Information Centre at Gilwell or On Line from Special Needs Training Days 6. Special Needs Team Resource File (available via ACC SN) 7. Websites for specific medical conditions Don t forget to use the Special Needs Team as a resource SEE NEXT PAGE FOR CONTACT DETAILS 13

14 SURREY SCOUTS SPECIAL NEEDS TEAM All of our advisers are to be considered a County as against a District Resource. To be put in contact with the Special Needs Adviser closest to you please e.mail the following; Assistant County Commissioner for Special Needs on; specialneeds@surrey-scouts.org.uk 14