Balsall Heath CATS (BHC) ran a Fit for All programme of fifteen 3 hour sessions for disabled and vulnerable children providing a total of more than 2250 hours of activity over the Summer of 2021 and more than 750 healthy meals. The group told Fit for All about what they felt had worked, and about the challenges they faced:
Challenges:
Not all the children who took part in Balsall Heath CATS (BHC) sessions met the Free School Meal criteria, but BHC didn’t want to exclude regular service users. Feeding large groups in particular was hard. BHC told us they felt all children should have equal opportunity. The group was aware that families from which children do not quality for Free School Meals can be no better off than those that do. Families with SEND children often have higher outgoings. Also Free School Meals eligibility does not take into account where families have more than one disabled child.
BHC found from parents that other (non- Fit for All) Bring it On Brum activities seemed to be less concerned that participants met the Free School Meal criteria. They questioned whether the rules applied more strictly to specialist provision for disabled and vulnerable children?
SEND children and their families did not typically find it easy to access mainstream Bring it On Brum funded services -even though some of the opportunities they provided were of interest to disabled and vulnerable children.
BHC told us it was amazing to feed the children but that it sometimes took lots of time off the day and play work: plating took time, but there is also preparation and clean-up time and a concern to store food safely. They made the point that SEND children won’t necessarily all eat the same thing at the same time – there is a lot more personalisation in feeding disabled and vulnerable children.
Anticipating numbers was hard as this was subject to change – BHC ended up underestimating those who fit criteria – money ‘per child’ is more complicated than a general funding sum for a project.
Coronavirus continued to be part of the challenge facing delivery during Summer 2021. As restrictions completely lifted, there was lingering anxiety with staff and families working as well as continuing with normal life. There seemed to be an expectation that, if groups were unable to deliver, they were able to keep the funding as long ‘as the lunches were still provided’. BHC pointed out this was impossible if/when staff and volunteers were self-isolating,
“The programme brought normality to children who normally can’t access mainstream ‘summer scheme’ provision.”
Balsall Heath CATS Evaluation Summer 2021
Positives:
The children were able to try new food and eating together was useful as the children were encouraged by their peers to expand their eating habits.
BHC felt that the programme “brought normality to children who normally can’t access mainstream ‘summer scheme’ provision.”
Children and young people were able to attend with non-disabled siblings which often isn’t possible in mainstream provision.
Training:
BHC took advantage of the Street Games opportunities – compulsory training such as the first aid course was useful for their volunteers as this would have cost money elsewhere. They focused on main and mandatory training as it was time consuming; sharing the opportunities earlier may have given more time for organisation and the group could’ve made even better use of training opportunities.
The 3-hour intro to inclusive play organised by CQ as part of Fit for All was great – particularly for BHC’s new volunteers.
Enrichment:
This was a highlight according to BHC. They told us that it took pressure off the team, and provided opportunities community groups often can’t afford to provide more than once/twice a year.
The enrichment practitioners (from Creative Active Lives) were organised and knew how to work with disabled children – it wasn’t boring but a real experience for everyone.
More enrichment would’ve been great for the group – they ended up booking more themselves. It would’ve been nice to have been able to access some of the large trips and activities organised by Street Games.
Children’s Quarter:
BHC felt there was a lot less pressure claiming the funding via CQ rather than directly through Street Games. The group has a good relationship with CQ who understand who they are and what their provision is.
The group said they felt valued, safe and secure claiming through CQ – grateful for the increase in funding particular to disabled children and young people.