As part of the transformative school rebuilding programme, announced by the Department for Education in February 2021, the associated sports facilities funding within this programme will be distributed through Sport England and their county level networks, Active Partnerships. They will work with local schools to identify who are most in need. Schools in disadvantaged areas, or areas with high inactivity among children, will also be given the opportunity to bid for funding. This new funding will help to address the barriers to young people with SEND having equitable access to sport and activity outside of the school day.
As part of our response to the announcement, the Youth Sport Trust have designed in consultation with schools the following support to overcome 4 key barriers when it comes to young people accessing inspiring, accessible and meaningful school sport and physical activity:
Key Barrier 1: Lack of youth consultation
Why it's important
20% of schools report that young people with SEND do not have a voice in school around PE and School Sport.
Free to access
Recommended equipment to support
- Chateez cards, posters, keyring - Chateez cards are a modern take on traditional flashcards, featuring popular emoji designs. They encourage communication, allowing for young people to express their feelings in a fun and creative way.
Key Barrier 2: Lack of youth consultation
Why it's important
4 out of 5 (76%) of Special Educational Needs schools said facilities or equipment were a barrier to children participating in sports. There are also barriers around accessing physical equipment and often confidence in delivery by coaches and the sporting workforce.
Free to access
- TOP Sportsability - a digital platform with an in-depth Wheelchair skills module.
Recommended equipment to support
Key Barrier 3: Young people unable to participate in meaningful, fun activity with friends
Disabled people are twice as likely to be physically inactive as non-disabled people, and children with disabilities having fewer opportunities to participate in sports – both in social and school environments. The School Games Inclusive Health Check has also revealed that 46% of schools across England do not feel they have a high enough percentage of young people with SEN/D accessing extra-curricular opportunities.
Free to access
- TOP Sportsability - a digital platform filled with wide range of inclusive activities and disability sport.
- School Games inclusive competition formats
- Inclusion 2020 Learning & Discovery Toolkit
- Ten Top Tips - to adapt activity for young people
Recommended equipment to support
- Boccia sets - ramps, balls
- New Age Kurling sets
- Learning & Discovery kitbag
Key Barrier 4: Sensory overload experienced by young people in sports halls/indoor/outdoor spaces resulting in being unable or unwilling to participate
Young people may experience difficulties with taking in and regulating sensory stimuli. Sensory overload can be a very big issue, so it’s important to consider how pupils with autism will respond to the often very noisy environment of a sports hall, as well as all the smells, bodily contact and rapidly changing visual information they have to deal with.
Free to access
- All About Autism E-Learning (free until August 2021)
- All About Autism digital handbook
- Inclusion 2020 - inclusive school swimming and water safety best practice examples
Recommended equipment to support
- Sensory equipment kitbag