Inclusion & Behaviour Support
BGC South East is a recreation-based program, with staff ratios of 1 staff to every 15 children, and is not typically equipped to support complex needs or behaviours in all our programs and/or locations. As our programs strive to be diverse and inclusive, from staff members to participating children, we are continuously working towards meeting the diverse needs of our community. BGC South East is always changing and adapting our programs to individuals’ and families’ needs. We recognize the ever-growing demand for additional resources and services for children and youth with exceptionalities. Therefore BGC South East has created a Program Inclusion and Behaviour Support Team to complement these needs within our programs and camps.
Three Levels of Enhanced Support
Basic Support
Children/youth designated to receive Basic support are not assigned an additional staff (i.e., a Program Inclusion Worker). Basic Support will be considered and assigned (resources permitting) to children/youth who require/would benefit from basic, classroom strategies such as transition warnings, visual schedule, access to a calming space/calming materials, etc. Such strategies can all reasonably be implemented into the classroom environment without additional personnel support from the Program Inclusion & Behaviour Support Team. The Program Inclusion & Behaviour Support Team can be involved in the suggestion and development of resources and strategies and can also be contacted for consultation if resources or strategies require revision.
Enhanced Support
Children/youth designated to receive Enhanced/Shared support are assigned an additional staff (i.e., a Program Inclusion Worker) on a shared and/or part-time basis.
- Shared: The child/youth may share the Program Inclusion Worker with other children/youth (up to three children/youth sharing) in the classroom/program who are also designated to receive shared support.
- Part-Time: The child/youth attends the program regularly (e.g., full-time, all week, etc.) and receives enhanced support during certain times/days that they attend.
**Enhanced Support will be considered and assigned (resources permitting) to children/youth who require/would benefit from shared and/or part-time support.
Such children/youth may require/benefit from occasional social/behavioural/emotional support. The Program Inclusion & Behaviour Support Team will assign a Program Inclusion Worker to support the child/youth while the child attends the program. A support schedule will be created with consideration of the child/youth’s needs and the times/days for which support will be most beneficial. The program staff are expected to facilitate inclusion on days when the child/youth does not receive Enhanced Support
One-to-One (1:1) Support
Children/youth designated to receive One-to-One Support are assigned an additional staff (i.e., a Program Inclusion Worker) on a one-to-one/full-time basis.
- One-to-one support will be considered and assigned (resources permitting) to children/youth who require one-to-one support in order to attend and be successful in the program. Such children have intensive or frequent needs in one or more domains identified on the Inclusion & Behaviour Support Matrix.
- The Program Inclusion & Behaviour Support Team will assign a Program Inclusion Worker to support the child/youth. The child/youth’s attendance schedule may be reduced based on the availability of the Program Inclusion Worker.
- In the case of the assigned Program Inclusion Worker being absent, the Program Inclusion & Behaviour Support Team will attempt to cover with a supply. If a supply is unavailable, program staff will do their best to accommodate and support the needs of the child/youth.