Projects
THE DISPORT PROFOUND & MULTIPLE LEARNING DISABILITIES SPORTS KITEMARK
What is it?
An award made by Disport 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 set criteria for each level has been designed by FDSO and the Kitemark Panel, to sit alongside similar schemes such as Sportsmark, Clubmark etc, and is challenging, particularly at Gold level.
What Does the PMLD Kitemark Panel Look 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.
Please note, the NEW PMLD Sports Kitemark for Facilities & Organisations will be launched in 2012
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 makes a site visit to some groups to observe work with PMLD groups.
What Does the Award Mean? What is its Value?
The award is the only one of its kind specifically with reference to Sport & Physical Activity for PMLD groups. Its value is increasing as more interest is generated. Ultimately the benefits of schools & organastions applying for the Awards are:-
- Shared good practice
- Improved standards within schools/ organisations
- Increased credibility for the organisation
- Wider variety of opportunities offered to PMLD groups
- Greater awareness of the issues facing PMLD groups
- Improved facilities
- Increased demand for relevant training for staff
- More enjoyment for people with PMLD
- Health benefits to people with PMLD
- Improvements in socialisation, responsiveness, interaction
- Knock-on benefits to family & peers. Nationally this project could positively impact upon thousands of lives.
How is the Disport PMLD Kitemark Managed?
FDSO worked with local and national partners with experience in PMLD, to set up an advisory group, and to set the criteria for the schools award.
Now that this is established, a similar process is being undertaken with organizations to set up an advisory panel for the community award.
The initial project was funded by Awards for All, but now, all expenses are met by FDSO/ Disport. The project is subject to numerous funding bids to secure its continuation.
Kitemark panel members are volunteers; though the day to day management of the programme lies with FDSO, and the Regional Development Officer for Learning Disabilities.
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OPPORTUNITY FOR A NATIONAL SPORTS KITEMARK (PMLD)
- FDSO has in place, a working system to deliver this in the Yorkshire region and also to transfer this Nationally. FDSO can advise on the criteria for each level of award; setting up local assessment panels, and ensuring that there is a standardization of each level of award.
- FDSO could (with funding) manage, from Yorkshire, National PMLD Sports Kitemark Awards for Schools, and for Community Groups.
- There is potential to link these awards to other National organizations (e.g. Mencap, Department of Education or The Profound & Multiple Learning Disabilities Network). Ideally, this should sit alongside the re-vamped Sportsmark Award for schools, and with National accreditation, could contribute significantly to a school or organisations status (OFSTED, and other accrediting bodies).
- FDSO is in discussions with a new panel for the PMLD Community Award, which, with funding, will be set up and launched in 2012.
- FDSO/ Disport has started work on a PMLD / Good practice website; detailing aspects of good practice, training courses, sharing ideas on equipment and working with people with PMLD.
- FDSO has recognised a need nationally for more input to help people working with PMLD groups. Staff need advice, ideas, training & confidence to carry out this work.
- FDSO is exploring the possibility of a National PMLD Sport/ Activities conference, to pass on good practice; and enable practitioners to demonstrate their ideas. Workshops of both a practical and theoretical nature would be hugely valuable to staff who are often bereft of ideas.
THE PMLD KITEMARK WILL BE RELAUNCHED IN 2012. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FURTHER DETAILS!
Contact: Fiona Hall fhall@fdso.co.uk tel 01924 279305
WANTED!! People with an interest in becoming PMLD SPORTS KITEMARK ASSESSORS
At this stage, this is a Voluntary position, however, as the Kitemark expands, we do hope to be able to pay expenses for Assessors.
If you are interested, and have considerable experience in any of the following, plase contact Fiona Hall, Regional Development Officer
* Experience in managing leisure facilities, and a good knowledge of access issues
* Experience in working with/ supporting/ parenting someone with PMLD
* Experience in providing opportunities / sports & leisure sessions for people with PMLD