When enquiring for disability swimming lessons, you will be explained the different options for children with additional needs.
Adaptions can be made to mainstream lessons; we offer additional needs lessons alongside the mainstream lessons and we offer disability hub lessons that have sole use of the pool. The program is available at several centres across the city for children aged 5 to 16 years.
If your child is to attend a mainstream lesson an assessment must be completed if they are not a beginner swimmer, these can be either booked using our bookings portal online. If you are booking a beginner level lesson they can book using the online system selecting Stage 1 as the class.
Mainstream lesson adaptations include but not limited to;
- A parent/guardian sitting on the side.
- A parent/guardian entering the water.
- The child can bring a water appropriate toy.
- The child has a reduced lesson time.
Additional Needs Beginners & Improvers
Additional needs lessons happen alongside mainstream lessons, the children will work towards the Swim England Learn to Swim Pathway, class sizes are smaller than mainstream classes. A parent/guardian may enter the water during these lessons.
Additional Needs Beginners - covers Swim England Stages 1-2 of the Learn to Swim Framework and focuses initially on water confidence and basic movement skills and breathing practices. An adult may enter the water with the child to give additional support if required. You do not need an assessment to book onto this class and can be booked online.
Additional Needs Improvers - Assessment required prior to booking. These lessons are suitable for children aged 5+ with no experience in the water who may be diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis of an additional need. Improver covers stage 3-5 of the Learn to Swim Framework and focuses on body position, swimming 10m and introduces Breaststroke and Butterfly legs. Don't forget to book an assessment before enrolling into this class.
Disability Hub
Disability hub lessons have sole use of the pool area, parents/guardians are required to enter the water, class sizes are smaller than mainstream lessons and children (aged 5-16yrs) will work towards STA Rockhopper awards which have been designed with children with disabilities in mind.
If your child is to attend disability hub lesson. you may first be added onto the disability hub red waiting list for the requested site. Please note these lessons are not bookable online.
The Swimming Lesson Adaption Form should also be completed by a parent/guardian.
If your initial enquiry is via a telephone call or online the adaptation form can be emailed activeleeds@leeds.gov.uk a member of the Customer Service Centre team will upload this to the child’s record.
Once a place becomes available a member of the team will contact the parent/guardian to offer a space. The parent/guardian and swimmer may be invited to come and view or trial the lesson.
Customer testimonials
"I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helps provide the disabled young people's swimming lessons. Since starting in December last year, my nine-year-old ASC son has not only learned to swim but to socialise. James has received his first ever party invite for a friend's birthday and he had a great time there. But most importantly you have provided us with an activity which provides me and James with quality 1:1 time, which we both look forward to every single week. Thank you so much."
"Our son who is four-years-old has Autism. As a result he really struggles with crowded places, bright lights and does not like water on his head/face. In September 2015 he has started disability swimming lessons at Fearnville Leisure Centre. From the outset the instructors have been really friendly and patient with him, allowing him to progress at his own pace without any pressure to undertake certain activities and have even altered their lessons to meet his abilities and sensory difficulties, whilst constantly trying different ways of getting him to try new things. Whilst progress has been slow, their patience means he has gradually developed his increased confidence in the water. He will now jump in, put his head in the water and kick his legs and he now enjoys his time in the swimming pool. We would recommend these sessions to other children with similar disabilities."
"Jude is an eight-year-old boy with Global Developmental Delay. He has learning disabilities and cannot walk yet. Swimming benefits Jude physically - he can walk in water, which he cannot do on land. By swimming he is building strength in his legs and arms. Also, it is great fun. He has made new friends and it's great therapy."