I could do with some advice when you have a moment.

[Ozziegirly]

I run a Girl Guide group for girls aged 11+ - we are a follow on group for younger girls.

At this stage, all the girls are NT.

Next year, one of the girls who will be joining the group has SN.

I have no experience at all with children or adults with SN. As far as I can see, having met her briefly once, and from what I have been told, is that she has learning disabilities and some physical disabilities - she isn't wheelchair bound but she struggles to keep up with the other girls.

So, really I would just like some advice as to how she can be fully included in everything we do, and how we can make Guides as enjoyable for her as possible.

The reason we have the older girls' group (it used to be one big group, aged 5-14) is that the girls like doing hiking, outdoor games, camping, horse riding, etc etc. It's a very physical group and we try to exhaust them with as much running around as possible. They like - and we like too - the fact that they can do more adventerous things than in the younger group, and that is kind of the point of the group.

Plus, another of our "aims" is to stretch them in terms of organising their own activities, evaluating things they have done well etc.

I want to make sure that when she arrives, the new girl can fit in with what we are doing and have a meaningful experience, but within the realms of what we aim to achieve for the other girls.

Can anyone advise as to what we should/shouldn't be doing?

Thank you very much in advance.

I agree iwth riven. You've given us no details at all really to go on, and even if you had, everyone is different. You need to find out exactly what she wants to do and can do.

When ds joined BB, I told them exactly what he was capable of, and he just joins in everything up to his limits. If he can't keep up, he will use his wheelchair or take a break.

He's not wheelchair bound neither, he jsut uses it when he is feeling lazy tired.

FUCK - sorry, I knew I would say something wrong.

I double checked as well but "bound" slipped through.

Thanks - I will chat to her parents (and clearly think a bit better before I speak!)

Well done for taking the time to try and find out though. Lots of people don't.

Come back and tell us what you did in the end to include her - there would be lots of interested people here who would like to know the outcome.

Hope it all works out.

Ozziegirly, don't beat yourself up, i am guilty of using a non pc term on occasion, its not the end of the world.

Echo what the others have said about speaking to the parents, does she require additional support, if so is this something you will need to provide from within your existing hepers or will she bring support with her (if needed).

Really it will be about getting to know her likes & dislikes just like anyone else.

Think its good of you to put thought into it and want to prepare and be as inclusive as possible. Please do come back on here if you want (and the girls parents think thats ok) once youve found out her needs and preferences. Folks on here do know a lot about adapting activities and we're not as scary as we seem

Great, thank you everyone, I will come back to you. She isn't starting until the new term in January so we have plenty of time to do our research and chat with her parents.

Thanks again - and again, sorry for the language slip up.

Also, depending on the level of SN, talk to her. At 10/11, I was more than capable of shouting up if something wasn't working. Don't always go through the parents. Obviously this does depend on how severe her SN is, but do bear it in mind.

Yes, I will do. I don't really know at the moment, but she has been attending the guide group for younger girls for a while, so I'll chat with their leader as well.