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Special Needs
Introduction
The aim of this guidance document is to assist Group Scout Leaders to 'manage' Young People with special needs efficiently within the Group. It is not meant to be exhaustive and is intended for those Young Persons (YP) who would be classed as having more serious special needs, for example severe learning difficulties. However, it is for the Group to decide what they consider to be serious special needs. Further assistance can be sought from Policy, Organisation and Rules, Scoutbase and the District Special Needs Advisor.
Guidance
- Following the initial contact the Group Scout Leader and Section Leader should meet with the parents and the YP to ascertain the full extent of the YP's needs.
- Before accepting the YP, consult with all section leaders, these will hopefully agree with the recommendation to take the YP thus enabling the YP to progress through all sections of the Group.
- Meet again with the parents and YP. At this stage is it most important that it is explained that all reasonable steps will be taken to integrate the YP into the Group.
However, it should be made clear that if the Leaders cannot 'cope' the Group will have to review the situation. In the worst case, this may mean that the Group is unable to continue to accommodate the YP.
It is strongly recommended that you use the County Form at this stage, particularly as it explains the policy on YP with Special Needs within the County.
- The District Special Needs Advisor must be notified that the Group is taking on a YP with special needs and be provided with a summary of what those needs are and how the Group intends to manage them.
Where necessary the Advisor will provide additional advice and support.
- It is vital that the Group maintains excellent communication with the parents and it is advisable that the Group Scout Leader and/or the Section Leader provides feedback to the YP's parents of their progress. Such feedback should be formally recorded. Monthly feedback should be given for the first three months.
After the first three months it is strongly recommended that feedback is provided to the YP's parents every quarter.
- Should the Group find that it is increasingly difficult to deal with the YP, the parents should be encouraged to work 'one to one' with the YP in the Section - subject to CRB etc.
The Group should inform the District Special Needs Advisor of the situation so that he can provide any further support and guidance. However, if the group cannot continue to accommodate the YP, the parents must be informed immediately and the District Special Needs Advisor will endeavour to relocate the YP to another group within the district or neighbouring district.
The District Special Needs Advisor will then handle the case.
| Reproduced by courtesy of Tamworth District |
Contacts
Elizabeth Birch - Stoke on Trent
Mark Lewis - Burton on Trent
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