PE Partner inclusion Policy

We are committed to making sure that, where possible, everyone who wants to attend our activities can. 

We believe that time spent in our setting should always be a positive experience for every participant and wherever possible we will make reasonable adjustments to facilitate a positive experience for all. There are some circumstances and some SEND challenges which mean that our sessions are not the appropriate setting for everyone. 

For over 20 years we have worked with hundreds of children and young people who have been classed as having SEND needs, and we have made a real difference in their lives by helping them have a positive experience of physical activity sessions. We have done this through careful curation of each person’s individual needs and circumstances and through conscientious honesty. 

There is not a catch all approach to inclusion, and we make a rule of not discussing SEND children or participants as a group. Instead, each case will be discussed individually, and we are always willing to hold conversations to explore the challenges and to search for possible solutions. 

On some occasions, where we cannot find a solution, we reserve the right to protect the child or young person by refusing sessional bookings for them. 

Our starting point for each case is to ask the same question to the person who will be participating in the activity: Would you like to be here? If the answer is no, then irrespective of personal circumstances or parental or guardian requests, we will not accept bookings for that participant. 

We stand firmly behind the fact that our customers are the participants and that their enjoyment and safety is paramount in everything we do. If they do not want to come to our sessions, that is the end of the conversation. Our sessions are not a service to parents; they are an experience for children and young people. 

If the participants say that they would like to attend the sessions, we will then discuss what would be required to make that a positive experience with parents, guardians, SENco’s and other people with a relevant opinion. This will include a frank and honest discussion about what additional needs the participant might have and whether we are capable of meeting these. 

We will explore getting additional appropriately qualified support staff but in reality, this is not always possible. 

In line with the Disability and Discrimination Act, where we do not believe reasonable adjustments can be made, for example if we simply cannot find suitably trained staff to provide the support needed, we will, on occasion, be unable to accept bookings. 

The following passage is taken from the Government published guidance for after school clubs. We include this to show that our policy is in line with current guidance. 

If you would like to talk to us about a potential participant who would like to attend, please get in touch and we will do what we can. 

After School Club Guidance for Private Providers in England 

This document provides general guidance for a privately run after school club in England. 

Legal Position: 

Private after school clubs are usually classed as service providers under the Equality Act 2010. 

They must not unlawfully discriminate against disabled children and should consider reasonable adjustments. 

Reasonable Adjustments: 

A provider is not normally required to make adjustments that are unreasonable. 

Factors can include: 

• Safety of children and staff 

• Existing staffing ratios 

• Availability of trained staff 

• Practicality within a short session 

• Cost and financial viability for a small provider 

• Impact on other children attending 

• Whether the adjustment would remove the disadvantage 

For further information visit this link 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-out-of-school-settings-code-of-practice 

A Copy of this document can be requested by emailing us at info@pepartner.co.uk