After-school clubs and discrimination

[Elanor]

I can't put my son into an after-school club or holiday club run by his school, because he needs more care than they can give him. He needs lots of attention and more organisation/routine and less general stimulation than other kids, and it simply isn't an option for us.

 

But if the provision of these services is now part of a school's responsibilities (even if there's a charge for it) then aren't they required to ensure that the provision is accessible to children with disabilities also? Isn't it discrimination if the lack of special needs provision means that my child can't access these services?

 

Any views or experience on this please?

 

Elanor

[phasmid]

There was another thread that discussed this subject recently. I'm not sure which forum it was on or what the title of the thread is. Anyway, if the only reason they will not let him participate is due to his disability they are discriminating against him because of his disability.

[Surrey]

I used to work in an after school club whilst my son attended. They positively encouraged children with SEN. They offered places at a cheaper rate and I think they got some sort of subsidy for it. Having said that, the club not afford to employ specialist staff and the whole thing was a disaster. My son could not join in readily and in the end they told me it would be better if he left!

 

Needless to say I left the job too. My council run holiday clubs specifically for SEN children where the pupil/carer ratio is much higher. Perhaps this sort of thing would be more suitable.

[niki]

my tricky goes to a weekly chess club after school, he loves chess (the logic in strategy i think) but i am lucky it is run by his ex playschool leader who loves him anyway.