Special Needs
in North Dorset Scout District
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The HQ website Scoutbase has a Special Needs section plus Factsheets (scrool down list to "Special Needs" section, which may be downloaded and printed off at no charge, in support of the framework laid down by POR.
Contact ~ District Adviser - Special Needs
Sheila Kerleytel. 01258 451205[ Return to Homepage ]
Our newly appointed Special Needs Adviser writes ~
As the Districts newly appointed Special Needs Adviser I would like to introduce myself.
I have been working with children who have special needs for well over 20 years.
My first encounter with a child having special needs involved collecting a 14 year old boy with cerebral palsy from school and looking after him for the afternoon until his parents returned from work to collect him. I found him to be a delightful child who fitted into the family with ease, making himself a firm friend with my own children.
In 1990 I moved to Salisbury and started work at Exeter House Special school as a classroom assistant. The school caters for children from the age of 2 to 19. It is a mixed ability school taking in children with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), Mild learning difficulties (MLD), and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
I worked initially in a classroom of 11 to 14 year olds with mixed abilities, working on a one to one basis with a child with severe learning difficulties. In 1992, I moved into a class with slightly younger children.
In 1994 the school moved from it’s rather run down premises into a new, purpose built building on a site next to an existing primary school, with which it built firm links. The new school boasted a hydrotherapy pool, library, sensory room, Autistic base and large, well-equipped playground. I worked in several classes, covering a wide age range, and an even wider ability range.
The school arranged several “Educational visits” each year. (holidays to me and you).
We visited Austria, France, Germany, Holland, and once we went skiing in Canada!
I have been to all of the above, but I especially enjoyed the annual trips to “The Redridge Centre” in North Wales which I attended 5 years running, and where both the children and myself experienced activities such as Climbing, abseiling, Canadian canoeing, Kayaking and caving. The latter activity was not one of my favourites – in fact I positively disliked it so much, that I elected to stay outside to “guard” the PMLD girls whilst this took place! (I do up. I don’t do down.)
When one of our daughters’ was 10 years old, she joined the 6th Salisbury Air Scout troop. When they became aware of my experience, the leaders of the Cub pack asked me if I would attend meetings to assist a child who had special needs. The rest, as they say, is history. Once caught in the Scouting net, escape is almost impossible!
Both Myself and my husband John (ADC Scouts) Worked for several years with special needs children, assisting with camps and outings with the previously named “Link Scouts”, now known as the “2nd Salisbury Scout Group”.
After an 18 month “Sabbatical” in sunnier climes, we returned to England and settled in Blandford. I worked for a year at The Forum School in Shillingstone – a residential school catering for children with autism and asbergers syndrome.
I currently work at Yewstock Special School in Sturminster Newton. I work with children aged 5 to 7 – an age group new to me, but one that I am enjoying immensely.
At the present time, there are many young people in Dorset who have special needs, some of whom enjoy the activities offered to them by the Scout Association.
If you have, or know of, a young person who you think would benefit from the “Scouting experience” and who has special needs, please contact me. I will do my best to put you in touch with the relevant people to assist that young person to enter Scouting at the level best suited to them.
Sheila Kerley Tel: 01258 451205 e-mail: sheilakerley@yahoo.co.uk
