SN and after school clubs

[Lily27]

HI everyone, I have a question re: after school clubs. My son, 5yo has an EHCP - he has hyptonia/dyspraxia (affecting his mobility - he can walk but not run or jump; his speech is not very clear but improving; fine motor skills are ok, very good language and understanding, no sensory issues). DS is mainstreamed and thriving, learning well. I would love to send him to some after school clubs or clubs during the Easter Break. Do you know if SN children such as my DS can go to mainstream (or non SN) after school clubs or will he not be accepted, what are your experiences? AT school his TA needs to be with him in the playground and generally keep an eye, and she also works with him on specific things like handwriting, she sits with him at mealtimes etc..

[Doveyouknow]

We struggled with our after school club. They just weren't willing to offer any extra support or really engage with us about how they could support our ds. However, I know others at other schools who have clubs that have been much more helpful especially those run by the school rather than an external provider. I think your best bet is to speak to them.

[Sirzy]

You would need to discuss it with each club to find a plan for now best it will work.

Ds goes to mainstream school but can’t cope with any after school clubs

[BlankTimes]

As he has hypotonia/dyspraxia you may find his stamina levels are okay to manage an ordinary school day, but he doesn't have enough spoons for extra activities after school.

Spoons theory if you're not familiar with it.
butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

[MrsDuBeke]

DS coped well with wraparound care provided by preschool but primary school wraparound was run by an external company and it fell apart fir us then. They said on their website that sen was fine, I disclosed on the registration form sll about his needs, but then they weren't willing yo work with us when things got harder. DS was having a tough time returning to school after the first lockdown and was getting hyperactive and out of control (running, shouting, throwing) due to dysregulayion and anxiety but staff were trying to ask him why he was doing this...in the moment...to a 5 year old?! They wrote to me after it happened a couple of times to tell me that, unless I paid for 1 yo 1 support, he couldn't go there anymore. I admit to writing a fairly shirty email back to them! So beware, I would say, that just because a setting has a Sen policy and seem inclusive, they often don't like the more challenging sides of our kids!

[CongealedCrags]

We sacked off external after school clubs and all holiday clubs because it became obvious that they didn't have a clue on how to deal with a bolting child.

Example: football. Registration in one building, then parents told to leave. Kids told to walk - unaccompanied - along a path to the 3G pitches. Door to 3G pitches unsupervised, unlocked. No counting in and out, kids were expected to walk (alone) along path to use toilet as well. From 6. Of course DC legged it. And you can write "ASD and will bolt" all over the form and call them to make sure and then tell them at registration as well but they think they know best

Beavers/cubs: supervised treasure hunt in park. Again, have been warned about bolting. Have seen bolting in action. Very keen to be inclusive. Leaders have SN kids themselves. Have offered to assist but turned down. They put all "difficult" kids with leader. Kids all bolt in opposite directions Leader is swamped.

Swimming: viewing area is above swimming pool but other side of pool entry so have to be buzzed in. See child being sent off to use toilet. Cannot get through entry system in time to prevent child running from teaching pool into leisure pool.

Craft activities club - despite doing due diligence, knowing the organiser was a friend of friend etc I still didn't clock that someone advertising unaccompanied child, 3 hour art sessions would expect the children to walk out of her shop, and across to the alley next door to use the toilet in the yard behind that they had been given a key for.

I'm sure there's more examples, we tried loads of things. These are kids with diagnoses of ASD/ADHD who never had an ECHP or LSA at school. Anytime anyone says "we're the experts, trust us, we look after hundreds of children every year" I cringe. And these are just the safety examples - I won't count the times the kids were told they would get a certificate or sticker for X or Y and had a meltdown because they never got it. Or they sat on the sidelines not joining in because it was too much.