Finlay swimming 2

Aquatic programmes can offer individuals with complex disabilities a broad range of benefits.

These include:

  • Functional skills, such as standing, walking, reaching, gripping and holding
  • Postural skills, including improved core stability and head control
  • Maintaining or increasing ranges of movement
  • Improved coordination and spatial awareness
  • Multisensory experiences
  • Learning to swim

Our specialist Hydrotherapy Pool provides an ideal environment for individuals to achieve their potential.

Features of the Hydrotherapy pool include:

  • Large pool 15m x 9.5m
  • Water heated to 32-33ºC, which promotes movement
  • Eight hoists with a track system to provide hoist support across the whole pool
  • Black-out blinds on the windows, colour changing pool lighting, music and a bubble area to create a sensory experience

All aquatic activities are child-centred and tailored to the individual, as per our CHILD Curriculum.

Seth's hydrotherapy journey

The Aquatic Curriculum mirrors the ethos of the Chailey Heritage Individual Learner Driven (CHILD) Curriculum, meaning that all aquatic activities are individualised and child-centred. We develop key strategies and techniques to support child-initiated learning, record the development, and celebrate the success!

The Chailey Heritage Aquatic Curriculum is designed to monitor and evaluate an individual’s progression from a baseline starting point. The curriculum is split into sections that monitor the individual’s ability to develop key aquatic areas - body position, legs, arms, breathing, timing and interaction.

The Chailey Heritage Aquatic Awards Scheme builds on the Aquatic Curriculum by providing a way of celebrating success. For some of our young people, success means maintaining the same movement patterns and not allowing their medical conditions to regress what they are physically able to achieve.

The Aquatic Curriculum monitors an individual’s ability to maintain or develop movements and skills, and the awards scheme celebrates what they have achieved. The awards have been developed following the colours of the rainbow - starting with Red and moving through to the Pot of Gold at the end. Certificates are given as rewards of achievement.

In addition, there is a certificate to celebrate those ‘Wow’ moments of specific success. For those individuals who are able to, they can progress on to the Amateur Swimming Association’s 'Learn to Swim' Framework to continue on their aquatic journey.