Kingswood recognises its responsibilities to widen access to its facilities to those with special educational needs. To assist Party Leaders and others involved with visits to our centres, we have put together this information page to help in the planning stages to ensure that facilities available meet those required and that programmes are selected that provide opportunities for participation for all.

Although this page contains lots of useful information, experience has taught us that the best way to understand the extent, and limitations, of the provision our centres offer, is to visit the centre itself and discuss the requirements with the management team on site. To this end, we urge all those who wish to bring a guest with special needs to arrange a visit to their chosen centre as early as possible in the planning process.

Carers and Mentors

Kingswood understands that some of our guests will require special attention to get the most from their visit. Carers of those with disabilities or Mentors of those with challenging behaviour are therefore welcome to attend the visit free of charge. As a guide, if an individual relies on a carer in the school environment then it is likely they will benefit from their attendance on a Kingswood visit. However, if a carer is unable to attend, this should not automatically mean that those they care for should be prevented from attending. Party Leaders should note that the final decision of whether a carer or mentor attends a Kingswood visit, and by extension those they care for, rests with them.

Learning Difficulties

Kingswood’s learning programmes linked to ICT, Environmental Studies and Life Skills at Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and above contain sufficient opportunities to differentiate for varying abilities that they will be accessible to the vast majority of students in mainstream education. However, if you have specific queries about tailoring courses to meet the needs of those with specific learning difficulties, please contact us for assistance.

Similarly, the activities on offer at Kingswood centres are all accessible to those with learning difficulties, and where necessary can be differentiated in their delivery according to the group’s ability.

Challenging Behaviour

Challenging behaviour on its own is not an obstacle to a visitor’s full participation in the Kingswood experience. However, please be aware that maintaining acceptable levels of behaviour amongst our guests is the responsibility of the accompanying adults and not the Kingswood staff. Individuals whose behaviour places themselves or others in danger will be excluded from participation.

Hearing Impaired

Visitors with partial or full hearing loss are welcome to participate in all parts of the Kingswood programme. There are no restrictions placed on their involvement. Please inform the centre in advance if you have group members who have hearing impairment

Visually Impaired

Visitors with partial or full sight loss are welcome to participate in all parts of the Kingswood programme, however by necessity achievement may be measured in different ways to the normally sighted, and care should be taken in selecting options from the ICT and Environmental Studies programmes. By arrangement, facilities for the partially sighted, such as large print resources, can be made available. Please inform the centre in advance if you have group members who have visual impairment.

Mobility Impaired

Due to the large variation in physical or mobility-related disability, it is often difficult to give an unambiguous assessment of the suitability of facilities and programme options for individual guests. For this reason it is necessary to re-state the importance for Party Leaders (or those responsible for the attendance of the mobility impaired) to visit their intended Kingswood centre in advance of the trip being confirmed to review the facilities provided and discuss specific requirements. Information on the accessibility of facilities and activities that should provide answers to many of the initial queries likely to arise is available here.

Risk Assessment for special needs

We have undertaken a review of our risk assessments with reference to the specific needs of those with particular categories of disability.  By necessity these risk assessments are generic in nature and do not replace the need for a more detailed assessment to be conducted for specific individuals who have particular vulnerabilities, and therefore are provided as a reference guide only for party leaders who may require this information in the planning of their visit. These special needs risk assessments have only reviewed the requirements for those with physical disabilities, hearing or visual impairment or learning difficulties. They do not account for those who may have behavioural problems but who are otherwise able to participate in our programmes as normal. A copy of the Special Educational Needs risk assessments can be downloaded here.