Special/ Additional Needs Support Unit

The Children’s Support Team, based at Fairthorne Manor, ensures the welfare of children attending our schemes. The team aims to provide support for the integration of all children and young people onto our schemes. The remit of the department extends beyond those with special needs such as physical disabilities, and includes children and young people with a range of medical conditions, behavioural difficulties and those referred by social services such as children in foster care.

In 2007, some of the needs we supported include the following:

• Asthma
• Allergies, including nuts
• Downs Syndrome
• ADHD
• Dyspraxia
• Cerebral Palsy

Whether a child has mild or more specialised needs requiring 1:1 support, the Children’s Support Team will ensure that the right information, staffing support and equipment is available for them to have a successful visit.

The Children’s Support Team liaises with families, social services and particularly with the children to ensure the very best inclusive opportunities are available during every school holiday.

The Children’s Support Team is regularly working with over 300 families from the Hampshire area, and each year approximately 100 new referrals are made. Of the 500+ children a week attending Daycamps in the summer, around 50 have additional needs.

To ensure that each child has sufficient support, it is imperative that parents or carers contact us well in advance of a child’s visit. Unless we are aware of any support issues a minimum of 4 weeks prior to a visit, it may not be possible to provide sufficient support.

Our Portsmouth and Gosport Playschemes are also able to support a limited number of children with additional needs. Please call 01489 785228 before booking to discuss your requirements.

We make every effort to be fully inclusive. However, if the Child Support Team feel they are unable to integrate a child into a scheme we reserve the right to decline a booking.