- ...organise nights away for disabled Scouts?
- ...manage challenging behaviour?
- ...make Scouting more accessible?
- ...help Scouts move between Sections?
- ...help Scouts to make the promise?
- ...raise awareness of barriers that disabled people face?
- ...start a Hospital Group?
- ...fund the development of Scouting for people with particular needs?
How do I...?
How do I...?
...organise Nights Away for disabled Scouts?
A key part of Scouting is the chance to take part in nights awy activities. Whatever the event you are organising, the chances are that some of the participants and staff will have particular needs that you need to consider so that they are able to take a full part in the activities. These pages will give you some ideas of the kind of questions you may need to answer, along with some information about providing facilities which accessable to the widest number of people.
...manage challenging behaviour?
We have all had occasions when behaviour has affected the smooth running of an event or activity. Behaviour that exceeds high spirits or general naughtiness. It spoils the activity for everyone, and it can lead to accidents, damage or distress. On this page you will find a range of resources and sources of further information that will help you tackle challenging behaviour.
...make Scouting more accessible?
The third phase of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) was introduced on 1st October 2004. Visit our Access to Scouting Pages to find out more information about the Act and ways that you can make Scouting more accessible.
...help Scouts move between Sections?
The opportunity for a young person to progress through the Sections within Scouting is fundamental. It is important that the needs and interests of any young person and particularly those with special needs are kept in mind. It is therefore essential that Leaders talk to each other and pass on vital information. This might cover all sorts of areas from information about a specific special need, medical information, participation in the Balanced Programme, personal likes and dislikes.
Obviously the young person themselves and their parents or carers should be involved. In some cases, the linking procedure might happen outside the usual age ranges. Some factsheets that might be useful are:
- FS250045 - DC Guidelines - Age ranges Flexibility (Special Needs)
- FS322101 - Appropriate Medical Care
Linking may mean contact with other support from both inside and outside Scouting - see Factsheet FS250046 Special Needs Resources and useful contacts.
...help Scouts to make the Promise?
Every person joining The Scout Association does so by making the Promise. This is the most important ceremony in Scouting and is common to Scouts throughout the world. Many Groups incorporate particular traditions into the ceremony to enhance its meaning, but the simplest can often be the most effective. The ceremony must be meaningful for the Scout making the Promise or reaffirming their own Promise, although this does not necessarily mean it must be a formal occasion.
...raise awareness of barriers that disabled people face?
Here are a few activities that were used at Gilwell Reunion 2004 that help raise awareness of the barriers that disabled people face. Try them out with other Leaders or your Section!
more about ...raise awareness of barriers that disabled people face?...
...start a Hospital Group?
Around the country there are several very successful Scout or Scout and Guide Groups in hospitals, where they serve children whilst they are in the hospital's care.
A Scout Group within a hospital paediatric ward can offer so much. In a majority of hospitals there are no organised activities for young patients to do in the evening, indeed in most cases during the daytime only a limited amount of education is offered, plus play therapists.
A Group within a hospital gives the young patient something to do one evening a week. It will also give mum or dad who may be staying with their child in hospital an hour or so to themselves! It enables current Members to continue to pursue their hobby and it is a valuable tool for growing the Movement by providing an opportunity for non-members to sample what Scouting has to offer.
The setting up of a Group within a hospital environment requires detailed planning. However, some of the hard work has already been done by existing Groups around the country and put together in a support pack, which you can download here:
If you would like more information about Hospital Scouting, contact the Special Needs Office at Gilwell Park (phone 0845 300 1818 or email special.needs@scout.org.uk)
...fund the development of Scouting for people with particular needs?
The Treloar Fund was set up in 1949 to assist individual Scouts with special needs and for the general development of Scouting for those with special needs. The maximum grant provided from the fund is £2,500, provided other matched funding is also available. Recent grants from the fund have helped pay for access improvements, such as improved entrances or toilets at Group meeting places, and to aid individuals with equipment to provide them with the same opportunities as other Scouts in undertaking activities and events.
For more information about the Treloar fund, visit the Headquarters Funds pages
more about ...fund the development of Scouting for people with particular needs?...
