What is a reasonable adjustment (60 minutes)

Ask everyone to stand in a large circle and go around the circle introducing themselves.

Nominate one person to stand in the middle. Give them a piece of flipchart paper and explain that the aim of the activity is to throw the flipchart paper in the air and call out a name and that person must try and catch it before it hits the floor.

Once they start the activity, they may find it difficult (if not, impossible) if the circle is sufficiently large, and too easy if the circle is small. After a short time let them know that they can make a change to improve the game.

This may be making the circle smaller, changing the paper (by screwing it into a ball, for example), changing the rules etc. After another short time tell them they’re allowed to make another change.

Invite each participant to make at least one change to the activity until the game is something quite different to how it started.

Our values are grounded in Scouts’ commitment to respecting and valuing differences, as outlined in the fundamentals of Scouts.

A reasonable adjustment may be made to Scouts due to a disabled young person or adult on the basis of their:

• Age
• Disability (including mental or physical ability)
• Pregnancy
• Mental health

Disabled people are part of all areas of the community. It’s important to consider how other aspects of their lives, such as their skin colour or sexual orientation, may form a part of considerations for an adjustment. This is a legal requirement under the Equalities Act 2010.

When we talk here about adjustments, what we really mean is a process that identifies any factors in Scouts which lead to exclusion, and actively look for ways to remove those barriers to improve access to Scouts. In essence, to deliver Scouting for All.

Making reasonable adjustments is a core part of supporting all young people to fully participate in Scouts to make sure they can develop to their full potential.

Scouts operates in accordance with equality legislation, which in England, Scotland and Wales is the Equality Act 2010. Our Equal Opportunities Policy reflects this legislation. These are known as ‘protected characteristics’, including disability, sexual orientation, race and gender reassignment, amongst others. It’s unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of one or more of the protected characteristics.

As a membership organisation we have a duty to comply with this legislation. Part of this duty includes making ‘reasonable adjustments’ for individuals with a disability.

This duty is outlined in POR. It’s about identifying and removing any barriers to a young person with a disability to fully access Scouts by making changes or adjustments.

Changes can be made to the physical environment – this is about considering the accessibility of the meeting place and taking the needs of all individuals into consideration for any trips/nights away.

Some young people may require adaptations to access the badge of their choice. Any alterations to the badge or award criteria should be tailored to meet their specific needs. The aim in each case should be to improve access to the badge rather than to reduce the challenge of its requirements. It’s entirely at the discretion of the leadership team how to adapt the criteria – where appropriate, it’s useful to discuss this with the young person themselves, or the parents/carer.

Perhaps consider making the adaptations for the entire section to avoid singling out any one young person.

Adaptations should ensure that all participants undertake a similar level of personal challenge.

For the national awards, like the Explorer Belt or QSA you should consult with the relevant commissioner to make sure they understand and are happy with any adaptations. The only exception is that adaptations to DofE must be referred to the awarding body for approval.

Uniform shouldn’t be a barrier to taking part in Scouts. Whether, getting a uniform is financially challenging for a family, or for a young person with a sensory hyper-sensitivity who finds the necker uncomfortable, it’s important to be flexible.

Group discussion (10 minutes)

Where an individual is uncomfortable with the necker or shirt collar, identify what the specific challenge is, try to understand why the young person finds this element of the uniform challenging and make adjustments to make sure they’re comfortable. Is a necker really essential? Is a second-hand shirt more comfortable? Is a group sweatshirt easier to wear?

Remember, when a young person joins a section, they’re usually joining a Group and so there’s a need to support their transition from one section to another. This involves sharing information, routines and insights with leaders in the other sections, working together to be flexible around the transition, allowing more time, or supporting them to complete the Moving On Awards, and letting young people stay in a secure group of friends if that seems like the best option.

There’s age range flexibility within Scouts to support all young people to stay in Scouts, and progress through the programme and award scheme.

In some situations, it may help to let young people move outside the core age ranges. This should always be done with the best interests of the young person in mind (NOT for the convenience of the leaders or parents), and in careful consultation with the parents/carer, leaders, the young person and where appropriate the DC or DESC.

Best practice suggests that where possible a young person should not remain in a section more than six months outside the core age range. Remember, regardless of any additional needs and disabilities, a young person will still want to access the same activities and social opportunities as their peers.

The only exception is at 18. There is absolutely no flexibility when a young person turns 18, and under no circumstances can an individual remain as a participant in a Beaver, Cub, Scout or Explorer section after their 18th birthday. At 18, all young adults should be moved into Scout Network or adult roles in Scouts.

It’s important to evaluate how accessible and inclusive your Scouts space is. This could be identifying that the space needs a physical adaptation such as an access ramp. It may also be that a young person needs to have an area that’s calm. In these instances, you should:

• Be positive, calm and caring or provide a time-out
• Have a calm/time-out area
• Be mindful of sensory stimulation
• The above suggestions aren’t the only suggestions

It’s important to understand some adjustments are temporary, for example a broken limb or other temporary loss of mobility.

These have the same legal duty for an adjustment as a permanent disability.

The Scout Programme is designed to be flexible, so badge/award requirements can be tailored to individual needs. It also makes sure there’s flexibility in age ranges for sections.

The flexibility in Scouts means that all young people, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy and achieve.

As Managers and Section Leaders, these are areas which you’ll most commonly make reasonable adjustments to (in fact, you’re probably doing so already).