PMLD Sports Kitemark

What is it?

An award made by FDSO to acknowledge excellent practice in the provision of Sport & physical activities for people with PMLD as defined below:-

• People with Profound & Multiple Learning Disabilities
• Have more than one disability
• Have a profound Learning Disability
• Have great difficulty communicating
• Need high levels of support with most aspects of daily life
• May have additional sensory or physical disabilities, complex health needs or mental health difficulties
• May have behaviours that challenge us

The award is made at three levels, bronze, silver and gold. Awards are made when applicants can demonstrate clearly that they have met set criteria as set out by the Kitemark Panel*

The panel will use discretion to assess applications that are unusual or can demonstrate excellence not entirely in line with the set standards.

Please note that the panel will disregard any evidence that does not relate to PMLD groups as defined above.

See the PMLD KITEMARK CRITERIA OVERVIEW – EVIDENCE YOU NEED TO PROVIDE.

What are we Looking for?

• Standards that go beyond the norm and raise the level of sporting provision for people with PMLD
• Examples of good practice
• Fully inclusive approach for all people with PMLD
• Innovation
• Excellence

Who can Apply?

Any school, college, centre or organisation that offers a variety of sport & physical activities for people with a profound & Multiple Learning Disability.

How Long Does it Last?

The awards are valid for 3 years, after which groups must re-apply.

Site Visit

A member of the Kitemark committee will make site visits to some groups to observe work with PMLD groups.

What Does the Award Mean?

The award is the only one of its kind specifically with reference to Sport & Physical Activity for PMLD groups. Ultimately, (after trial) this award will hopefully be adopted by Mencap, and rolled out nationally.

Please Note:
Evidence is only required for each of the numbered standards, and should relate directly to these. The panel will ignore other supplementary evidence that is not directly related to the standards.

Introducing The Disport Kitemark Panel

Sally Evans. Formerly an employee of FDSO, and a current member of the Disport Committee, Sally Evans is now the Partnership Development Manager for SportsSpecial School Sports Partnership, which consists of 13 special schools from across NY including 4 SLD schools. Worked closely with 4 SLD schools for last 4 years developing and enhancing PE & School Sport provision for pupils with PMLD. This has included innovative Sound Beam work; the setting up of after school movement therapy clubs; curriculum development; and creating links to community opportunities.

Heather Beachill. Originally trained as PE specialist and taught for 10 years in a Secondary Mainstream School. Did a Diploma in Special Needs and moved to Crevesford School for pupils with SLD/PMLD. Gained Sportsmark Gold and Activemark Gold for the school. Moved to Greenacre School as Assistant Headteacher in September 2000, retiring in 2011. Active DISPORT committee member. Wide range of qualifications in PE/Sport with SLD/PMLD, and has been involved in the PMLD Kitemark since its inception.

Fiona Hall has worked for The Federation of Disability Sports Organisations for 18 years. Fiona is the Regional Development Officer for Learning Disabilities, and has close links with many schools and groups in the region. Fiona’s work programme includes the Profound & Multiple Learning Disabilities Project, which has included the delivery of specialised training initiatives to support those working with people with PMLD.

Chris Easton
Chris currently works as the Chief Executive of Calderdale Parents and Carers, a charity supporting families of disabled children. Chris' previous roles include:-
- being part of the management team of £5 million Lottery programme, the Inclusive Fitness Initiative, which worked with the fitness industry to become more accessible for disabled children
- commissioning services for disabled children and children with complex health needs in Sheffield.
Chris has also undertaken training with the Centre for Accessible Environments and conducted in excess of 100 access audits,
assessing buildings' compliance with building regulations and best practice. Additionally, Chris has worked with leisure facilities to look at their policies, procedures, systems and communication to consider how they can better support the inclusion of disabled people.

Paul Kaye
Paul Kaye has been a sports coach for 34 years and has been running a specialist activity centre providing special needs trampolining and Rebound Therapy since 1992. In 2006 he joined forces with Eddy Anderson – the founder of Rebound Therapy- and became a course tutor and consultant for Rebound Therapy. He has helped further develop awareness and use the activity in the UK through staff training, and has been involved in its introduction to Malaysia and Australia where he and Eddy worked in partnership with Gymnastics Australia and the Australian Sports Commission.

How to apply
Applications are open now, and will be assessed by the panel on an ongoing basis:
Deadlines for submission are as follows:-
Wednesday 31st October 2012
Tuesday 31st January 2013
applications with supporting evidence should be uploaded using the uploading tool on this website.
Any enquiries regarding evidence, or uploading documents should be made to:-

 Fiona Hall,
Regional Learning Development Officer,
FDSO,
Unit 1a Milner House Milner Way,
Ossett,
WF5 9JN.

T:  01924 372382
E:  fhall@fdso.co.uk

Applications submitted by October 31st 2012, will be assessed with a view to presentation of awards at the next FDSO Annual Awards Dinner.

Applications my be made at any level (Bronze, Silver, Gold), and applicants may also apply to “upgrade” their award at any time during the “open” application period.

APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO RING FIONA HALL ON 01924 279305 TO CHECK THAT ALL SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED