Welcome to the Raising Explorers SEND Blog
Every child arrives with their own strengths, interests and ways of communicating. For some, that includes special educational needs or a disability. This blog is where we share how we support those children at Raising Explorers After School Club.
We’ve started it to be open about our practice how we adapt activities, plan transitions, train our staff and work alongside schools and outside professionals and to answer the questions families ask us most: what an EHCP means day to day, how to prepare a child who finds change difficult, what reasonable adjustments look like in an after-school setting.
Expect posts on inclusive practice, sensory-friendly activity ideas for home, communication strategies and local family support.
We’d like this to be a conversation. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover, or a question about your child, please get in touch we’d much rather hear from you early than late.
Knowing the Child before the Child Arrives
At Raising Explorers, we believe that care starts with information. Before a child with SEND joins our centre, we take the time to sit down with parents and carers to properly understand the child, their individual needs and what support works best for them. We want to know what a good day looks like for your child, as well as what they may find difficult on a more challenging day. We understand that every day is different, and we are more than happy to adapt and cater to each child’s individual needs. We want to know what helps to settle your child, what they enjoy doing and eating, as well as anything they may find difficult or uncomfortable. Our main priority is to ensure every child is safe, happy and included. We want our SEND children to feel part of Raising Explorers, enjoy the same exciting experiences as everyone else and never feel singled out.
Where there is already an EHCP or school support plan, with your permission, we can speak directly with your child’s school or SENCO. This helps us gain a better understanding of their needs and how they are supported in school. Before your child starts, we can also arrange a settling-in session, giving them the opportunity to become familiar with our setting, staff and other children at their own pace.
By working closely with parents, carers and, where appropriate, the child’s school or SENCO, we can put the right support in place from day one and ensure every child has a happy, comfortable and enjoyable experience at Raising Explorers.
Supportive and Well-Trained Staff
At Raising Explorers, we believe that children settle with people, not buildings. Our children are supported by professional and well-trained staff who take the time to understand each child’s preferences, needs and individual care plan. Our team is trained in safeguarding, first aid and individual care planning, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to support our children safely and effectively. Every member of our team is briefed and made aware of the children’s individual needs, so everyone knows how to support them.
During our holiday club, play workers are allocated to specific age groups and stay with the same group throughout the week. This means children see familiar faces each day, helping them feel more comfortable and making the transition into holiday club easier. Where a child requires closer or additional support, this is arranged around their assessed needs, ensuring they receive the appropriate level of care and support throughout their time with us.
A Day with Structure and Clear Shape
At Raising Explorers, our days are purposefully structured and carefully planned from the moment the children walk through the door to the moment they leave. Each day follows a clear itinerary, helping children understand what to expect and what is coming next. This can help reduce feelings of confusion or being overwhelmed, particularly when there are lots of activities and new experiences throughout the day. We believe that structure is a form of care. Having a clear routine helps children feel more settled, secure and confident in their surroundings. Our visual timetable allows children to see what their day will look like, rather than having to remember lots of information or instructions in their heads. They can easily look at the timetable throughout the day and know what activity is coming next.
Children are also grouped by age, allowing us to plan activities that are suitable and enjoyable for each group. With a clear structure, familiar routines and exciting activities planned throughout the day, we aim to create an environment where every child feels comfortable, supported and ready to enjoy their time.
Noticing Changes in Behaviour before it Becomes a Crisis
Holiday club is a busy place, full of excitement and sometimes a little chaos. Hard floors, echoing halls, lots of children and plenty of noise can make the environment more difficult for children with sensory sensitivities to adapt to. We understand that this can be a major concern when enrolling your child, but it is something we plan for and prepare for. There is always a quieter space available with a familiar adult, which a child can use at any time throughout the day. Often, offered before a child becomes overwhelmed, helping to prevent a situation from escalating.
Ear defenders are also always available, and regular movement breaks are encouraged to help children regulate and avoid becoming agitated or overwhelmed by an activity. Children are also never forced to take part in an activity if it becomes uncomfortable or overwhelming for them. They have the option to step away, take a break and return when they feel ready. Furthermore, all our staff are trained to read behaviour as communication, recognising changes in a child’s behaviour and understanding what they may be trying to communicate.
Risk assessed so all children can take part
At Raising Explorers, we want every child to have the opportunity to take part in our activities safely and confidently. Every activity we plan is risk assessed beforehand, allowing us to identify any potential risks and make the right adjustments so that all children can be included.
For children with additional needs, we also complete individual assessments alongside their care plan. This allows us to understand what support they may need during different activities and how we can adapt things to suit them as an individual. We understand that not every child will take part in an activity in the same way, and that is completely okay. Our aim is to find a safe and appropriate way for every child to be involved, whether that means making small changes to an activity, providing additional support or allowing them to take part at their own pace. exclusion from an activity is the last option we consider, not the first.
Small Details that Make a Big Difference
At Raising Explorers, we understand that sometimes it is the small details that make the biggest difference to a child’s day. Where intimate or personal care is required, this is provided by trained staff in line with our intimate care policy and only with your written consent.
We carefully plan each child’s support to help them feel safe, comfortable and included throughout the day. Where required, a trained and familiar staff member will remain with the child throughout an activity, offering reassurance and responding promptly to their needs to reduce the risk of them becoming anxious, agitated or frustrated. If an activity is planned that the child may find uncomfortable or overwhelming, we will provide a suitable alternative while continuing to encourage their participation. We also encourage regular breaks, allowing the child time to regulate, recharge and take part when appropriate for them.
Honest, In-Depth Conversations
You know your child better than anyone, and we treat you as the expert. We want to keep communication open and honest, so you will hear from us at every pick-up and drop-off about the good days as well as the more difficult ones. If something isn’t working well, we would rather know early, understand why and make changes as quickly as possible. By working together, we can make sure your child feels comfortable, happy and supported throughout their time at Raising Explorers.
Safeguarding
Everything above sits on a safeguarding foundation. Our staff are trained to current standards, our policies follow the SEND Code of Practice, the EYFS framework where applicable, and statutory safeguarding guidance, and we work with local safeguarding partners in Leeds where needed. Our policies are available to any parent on request.
Talking it Through
Depending on your circumstances, holiday provision may be supported through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, short breaks funding, or other support listed on the Leeds Local Offer. We will happily talk you through what might apply.
The best next step is usually a conversation and a settling visit — no commitment either way. Call us on 0113 322 6912 or email harehills@raisingexplorers.co.uk.