Voluntary work, is it worth it?

www.hertsad.co.uk/news/scouts-apologise-to-ben-gleeson-1-5450221?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it

Some more inconvenient facts

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I don't blame the volunteers, they were let down by the Scouts Association, which should have trained them to deal with an issue which is becoming more and more common in society as we aim to become more inclusive.

I am not sure many who volunteer - ie: give their time and efforts without pay - would accept that they also have to be trained in dealing with children with special needs. That opens up a massive can of worms.

Given special needs can be many and varied and some more complex than others, how on earth would volunteers become competent?

It can take years of practise and experience as well as specialist knowledge to become conversant with special needs. It is such a broad field.

Then of course, 'incompetence' of volunteers could be blamed for any accidents. There is also the matter of a child with special needs requiring a disproportionate amount of the volunteer's time and efforts.

Given those who work for the Guiding/Scouting movement want to provide fun and worthwhile activities for large groups of children, for no reward, I would suggest parents really do owe it to their children who need more time, attention, specialist approaches, handing and understanding, come along to the sessions with their children. They may well be on the sidelines as their child joins in and fully participates, but should any difficulties arise they can be quickly and expertly dealt with, allowing the leaders and children to carry on.

I do hope these short-sighted parents who've been awarded a huge sum in compensation do not scare off all those wonderful people who give up so much of their time in preparation, organisation and leadership. These clubs do not just happen. Leaders spend so much time (with no pay) preparing for group activities which bring pleasure, adventure and learning to so many children.

Read the full story FFS

Excellent post Nannarose I compeletely agree.

Having worked with children with special needs, both as a volunteer and professionally, I think the differences between schools and youth groups are :
The environment,including potential dangers
The skill, training and experience of the adults in charge

Schools, and groups aimed at younger children tend to have fewer dangers, and the environment means unpredictable behaviour is less concerning.
In theory, the adults should be supported and trained to be able to accept children with special needs. In practice, volunteers are rushing back from work to run these groups, fitting in paperwork at odd moments, getting their families to help prepare for camps and outings. Trying to be a proper support worker in amongst all of this is asking a lot.
Many years ago, our local council employed casual support workers to attend groups and go on outings in exact these circumstances. In the current climate, I'd be surprised if they still exist. Does anyone know?
I am unable to help at such groups now, and am hugely grateful for those who do. They need support, not suing.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/26/scouts-pay-42k-11-year-old-boy-discriminated-against-due-autism/

The full story is of course much more nuanced and complex than the huffers and puffers on this thread would like to know - what on Earth makes you think it’s acceptable to post without knowing some facts - sorry if this spoils your fun - do feel free to carry on fulminating and don’t click on the link if you want facts to get in the way of a good story.

From what I read about this case, the boy involved didn't require the one-to-one supervision the Scouts wanted to give him. Like many autistic children, he found it hard to adjust to change and all that seems to have been required was that things were explained to him so he could understand.

Instead, the Scouts wanted him to have a one-to-one, which he didn't want or need and which was oppressive. He didn't need one-to-one at school so why would he need it at Scouts? He had also previously attended Beavers without incident.

In this case, I think the Scouts were making a mountain out of a molehill, the issue could have been solved with some minor adjustments.

I don't blame the volunteers, they were let down by the Scouts Association, which should have trained them to deal with an issue which is becoming more and more common in society as we aim to become more inclusive.

BTW I used to volunteer in a Charity shop and we were often asked to accept people to work in the shop who would need the other volunteers to take them to the loo etc.(and I don’t mean to just open the door for them) I know it’s a difficult subject and somebody will probably shoot me down in flames for even talking about it.

I think it goes further than should we volunteer, Organisations are now unable to exclude children and adults, even if they are unable to take part in all activities due to physical or mental disabilities. This probably means that they will have to provide one on one supervision, just in case there is a problem, as in this case. Volunteers are hard enough to find as it is.
Is it unreasonable to expect the parents or other family member to go along to these clubs and help their own relatives?
I can’t believe that they have been successful in their court case, if they were just doing it to make a point then they should not accept the money from the Scouts.

Having said that, I do think the parents were totally out of order to sue.

Might have been wise to talk to the parents beforehand and see if, in their opinion, their child would be able to cope without extra support.

My answer to the opening question is definitely yes.

But not in the circumstances quoted.

To add, no I wouldn't volunteer in those circumstances.

Bearing I mind the parents are both said to be lawyers, we shouldn't be surprised.
I was somewhat surprised to see the amount of damages
awarded although some were given to a charity concerning autism.
The child was clearly not able to fully take part in such activities as camping.
When my friend was a support worker in a school with care if one child, she always went on day trips and school activities with him,this included school holiday trips.

I agree maddy and would have been prepared to help with our autistic DGS at such a group, and in fact have done for different outings and meetings ( not scouts.)