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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Swimming lessons for ch/n with special needs

17 replies

chatee · 15/10/2004 13:55

my dd aged 4.2 has cp diplegia and has been having weekly swimming lessons since age 2.8 with an instructor in a sn group of up to 4 children.The parents of the ch/n sit on a bench right next to the pool and are able to supervise/react if an emergency situation arose.

Yesterday hubby took her and at the end of the lesson he was given a slip of paper with a very curt letter stating that due to H+S and a risk assessment recently carried out a 1-1 person is required in the water with each child plus the instructor
IF this is a H+S issue then surely the policy would be implemented immediately(we have 4 weeks of the current course of lessons to run and it's ok for no 1-1 for the next 4 weeks)but for the next course of 10 lessons the policy is in place.

My dd also attends a mainstream lesson(suggested by the instructor as she is doing so well)which has 8 children in the class all under the age of 6 years
When my dd started lessons her legs were just a part of her body that stuck out like tree trunks and did nothing and she couldn't move them BUT after alot of hard work she can now kick them and manage to propel them in the water and she can swim 10metres unaided....my dd lives for her twice weekly swimming lessons
If your child goes to a special needs swimmimg group what is their policy??
What would you do??
(my dd won't be able to go and it will break her heart as she knows this is something she can do just as good as her friends as dh works for a family UNfriendly employer and i also have a ds of 7 months who sits in his buggy next to me and watches)
Please even if your child does not have special needs could you add some info......many thanks

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Original poster

chatee · 15/10/2004 14:15

please??

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Chocol8 · 15/10/2004 14:23

I sorry I can't be of much help but know that recent laws have changed with regard to swimmers - it all sounds totally over the top in some cases, but...!

My ds (AS/ADHD) has swimming lessons in a group of 8, with one instructor in the water and one on the poolside. I've no doubt that we will be informed of the changes soon too.

I am really sorry - it's not fair that your ds should have to miss her lessons - especially as she loves them and has done SO well.

KangaMummy · 15/10/2004 14:23

I am sorry I do not have any knowledge to help, DS has Dyspraxia and does swimming but is in a class with the teacher walking up and down next to the pool IYSWIM.

DH goes as well and watches from the side.

I do not understand why the 1-1 will not happen for 4 weeks though.

How many classes/teachers are there at the same time? So those would be able to help in emergancy as well wouldn't they?

When DS has swimming there are 4 classes at the same time.

Sorry I can't be much help. Hope you get some helpful replies soon.

KangaMummy · 15/10/2004 14:25

I also wanted to say well done to your DD she certainly has done very well with her swimming

dizzyone · 15/10/2004 14:28

my dd aged 9 attends a special needs school and has been having fortnightly swimming lessons with her class of 9 children since she was 4. they use a local schools swimming pool, with 1 instructor plus 2 others (class teacher and support worker in the pool. 1 or 2 support worker/helper watches from the side of the pool. have never been aware of any h&s issues about this. is this maybe a new ruling from whoever runs this class rather than standard practice? could you ask the instructor about this?

tamum · 15/10/2004 14:29

I can't contribute much chatte, except to say how sorry I am, and how mad it sounds. What I couldn't work out is whether they are saying this will be an issue with the mainstream lessons too? If not, could she do an extra m/s lesson instead? If she can swim 10m at the age of 4 then she would be ahead of many children in a mainstream class I would have thought

WigWamBam · 15/10/2004 14:37

What ridiculous beaurocracy, it's madness.

I don't really know what to suggest to help except, do you have someone who could look after your son for you for a while while you supervise your daughter? Maybe you could consider taking her out of the sn swimming group as she's doing so well in the mainstream one, and give her extra sessions with the mainstream one? Perhaps you could just have one swimming lesson a week and take her swimmng yourself at a time that's more convenient for you and your husband.

mieow · 15/10/2004 14:40

Hi Chatee I have just realised you are on SKinUK too, ain't you? My two go swimming on a sunday at a SN group but I have to have a 1~2~1 with them, its the swimming pool policy.
Sorry can't help

lou33 · 15/10/2004 14:58

Chatee have you thought about asking for a referral to hydrotherapy?

Original poster

chatee · 15/10/2004 15:10

still waiting for it Lou-been waiting for about 18 months.....

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Original poster

chatee · 15/10/2004 15:12

thanks for your replies everyone, please keep them coming....off to collect dd from school and go to mainstream lesson...

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lou33 · 15/10/2004 15:16

Get on the phone and hassle them big time, use the change in swimming circs as a lever to urge them to get her an appointment. God these things make me mad. I think I am turning into a sn activist

tabitha · 15/10/2004 15:23

Chatee,

health and safety law states that pools should carry a out risk assessment, which will cover teaching/coaching and will determine the level of supervision required. This should be done after full consultation with swimming teachers and should be part of the pool's 'Normal Operating Procedure'. The level of supervision will depend on a number of things, such as: layout of the pool; whether other activities are happening in the pool at the same time as the swimming lessons; abilities of children being taught etc. I found this site useful.
It mentions swimmers with disabilities, stating a 1:1 supervision ratio for those needing constant support, which clearly your daughter isn't. It also states that each situation should be considered individually.
Personally, I would ask to see the risk assessment that states that they require this level of supervision and then after seeing it decide whether it is justified and if not, take it from there. Hope this helps.
Personally, I think the pool are going over the top on this one.

marialuisa · 15/10/2004 15:45

Can't help thinking this may in part be a reaction to the recent court case?

As your DD is doing so well could she go to another mainstream class instead or does she do special exercises at the SN group?

Our council pool has 14 under 5s to one instructor in their classes but a mximum of 2 under 5 with a parent.

Davros · 15/10/2004 17:25

We go every week to a session for people (not just children) with all sorts of disabilities. Its is a "club" and uses the Halliwick method. It is 1:1 and I go with DS every week myself and use my Direct Payments for someone to look after DD. If DH is home he comes too and we have a great time. Its 6pm-7pm, not during school time.
Sorry this doesn't help your situation but its another experience.

Christie · 15/10/2004 21:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

chatee · 15/10/2004 22:25

keep the replies coming please-will update the story tomorrow, too tired tonight.....Good night all

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