Additional Needs Policy 🌟
Reviewed by: Emma Riley
Next Review Date: May 2027
At FUNDA, our mission is to create an environment where all children can enjoy being active, having fun, and learning together. We are proud to be a multi-award-winning brand committed to inclusivity and participation. While we strive to accommodate children with additional needs, there are instances where support from a child’s regular carer is necessary to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.
Our Commitment to Inclusivity 🌈
We welcome all children to our programmes, including those with additional needs.
Equality Act Compliance: We acknowledge the importance of equal opportunities but recognise our physical activity environment may require special considerations.
FUNDA coaches and staff are trained to provide Physical Education, Children's Activity & Childcare, but are not equipped for full 1:1 care requirements.
How We Adapt Our Provision for Children with SEND 🤝
At FUNDA, we understand that every child is unique. We aim to make reasonable adjustments wherever possible so children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can access and enjoy our activities in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.
For children with needs such as mild autism, ADHD, hearing impairments, sensory sensitivities, or communication differences, we may adapt our provision in the following ways:
Providing clear instructions, visual demonstrations, and consistent routines during activities.
Offering quieter spaces or sensory breaks where possible for children who may become overwhelmed.
Using positive behaviour strategies and encouragement to support focus, confidence, and participation.
Allowing additional processing time for instructions and transitions between activities.
Supporting children with hearing impairments by ensuring coaches face the child when speaking, using visual cues, and minimising background distractions where practical.
Encouraging smaller group interactions or partner activities when beneficial for engagement and comfort.
Working closely with parents/guardians before attendance to understand the child’s individual needs, triggers, communication methods, and successful support strategies.
Ensuring staff are informed of relevant medical, behavioural, or communication needs shared during booking.
While we make every effort to provide inclusive support within our staffing ratios, some children may require more specialist or dedicated 1:1 support than our activity staff can reasonably provide in a group setting. In these cases, we may ask families to provide a regular carer to attend alongside the child to help ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone.
We believe that open communication and partnership with families are key to helping every child thrive at FUNDA 🌟
Using the STEP Approach to Support Inclusion ⭐
At FUNDA, our coaches use the STEP approach to help adapt activities so all children can participate successfully and confidently. STEP stands for Space, Task, Equipment, and People.
Space 🏃♂️
We may adapt the activity space to better support children with SEND by:
Creating quieter or lower-distraction areas.
Providing clear boundaries and safe zones.
Reducing overcrowding during activities.
Allowing movement or sensory breaks when needed.
Task 🎯
Activities can be adjusted to suit different abilities and needs by:
Breaking instructions into smaller, manageable steps.
Using visual demonstrations alongside verbal instructions.
Allowing extra time to complete tasks.
Simplifying or gradually increasing challenge levels to build confidence and success.
Equipment ⚽
We may modify equipment to improve accessibility and engagement by:
Using larger, softer, or brightly coloured equipment.
Providing sensory-friendly resources where appropriate.
Adapting equipment size or weight to suit individual needs.
Using visual aids or cue cards to support understanding.
People 🤝
We carefully consider how children are grouped and supported by:
Pairing children with supportive peers or staff.
Using smaller group activities where beneficial.
Encouraging positive teamwork and inclusion.
Working collaboratively with parents, carers, and, where appropriate, external professionals to support each child’s participation.
By using the STEP approach, we aim to create a positive, inclusive, and enjoyable environment where every child can feel supported, valued, and able to take part in FUNDA activities 🌈
Expectations for Families 👨👩👧👦
We encourage transparency from parents/guardians regarding their child's additional needs during the booking process.
For children requiring 1:1 care at home or school, we ask that they attend our programmes with their regular carer to ensure their individual needs are met.
Families must be available for collection if the child’s needs require significant attention that may impact the safety and care of other participants.
Additional Needs Care Process 🛠️
In cases where children require high levels of 1:1 attention, our process is as follows:
Child Details Report
The Senior Manager on duty will review the child's details, including additional needs information provided at booking.
Incident Reporting
If necessary, an incident report will be created on our restricted access platform, ensuring all relevant management personnel are informed.
Management Consultation
The Senior Manager will contact the Head of Quality Assurance or relevant team member to assess the situation and determine the next steps.
Parent Communication
Parents will be contacted to discuss the situation and, if needed, arrange for the child to be collected until 1:1 care is in place.
Returning to Camp with 1:1 Care 💬
If a carer is provided by the family, the child may return to camp as long as the 1:1 care is maintained throughout their stay.
The carer must:
Be present during all activities, including bathroom visits where needed.
Accompany the child for the entire duration of their stay.
Sign in and out as a visitor and wear a visitor lanyard during attendance.
Focus solely on the child they are caring for and must not be responsible for other children.
Why These Measures Are Important ⚖️
Our aim is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all children, staff, and visitors. By maintaining clear communication and appropriate support systems, we can provide:
A safe and inclusive environment for every child.
High-quality care without compromising the needs of the wider group.
Support for families and their children in a respectful, transparent manner.
Thank you for partnering with us to create an enjoyable and active experience for all children! 🌟