Gateshead SEND Programme

Date posted 27 Feb 2026
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A new and inclusive Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) programme is set to strengthen support for children, young people and families across Gateshead, providing improved access to activities, facilities and specialist sessions. 

The enhanced SEND programme introduces a comprehensive pricing and access scheme designed to remove financial barriers and ensure families can participate fully in sport and leisure opportunities. 

Improved Access and Affordability

Children with disabilities who are eligible for a MAX Card can now apply for a free access pass. In addition, members of the child’s household will receive the highest concession rate for Pay and Play activities or memberships, helping to make regular participation more affordable for families. 

All users with special educational needs and/or disabilities will benefit from a 50% discount on instructed lessons and courses, including all swimming lessons. The reduced rates aim to encourage greater participation in structured activities, building confidence, independence and physical wellbeing. 

Importantly, facilities across Gateshead are equipped to support accessibility needs. Each swimming pool has a hoist to support safe entry and exit from the water, and accessible changing facilities also include a hoist, ensuring that children and young people with mobility needs can use the facilities with dignity and confidence. 

Support for Care Experienced Young People 

The programme also includes 600 dedicated passes for children in care and care experienced young people aged 18–25. Passes are available to: 

  • Care experienced young people (18–25 years) 
  • Children in care and their household 
  • Foster carers and their household 
  • Children with highly complex needs who have a social worker 

Strengthening Skills and Inclusive Delivery 

Alongside improved access, the initiative outlines key next steps to further enhance inclusive provision. SEND Champions will be introduced to provide leadership and advocacy across services. 

Staff will also benefit from expanded training opportunities, including Disability Awareness, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Neurodiversity Awareness, Autism Awareness, and swimming instruction incorporating British Sign Language. This investment in workforce development will ensure facilities are welcoming, knowledgeable and responsive to individual needs. 

Programme developments will include increased SEND-targeted sessions, accessible activities, para sports, pan-disability sports, school swimming lessons and Learn to Swim opportunities.  

Together, the expanded SEND programme marks a significant step forward for inclusive sport and leisure in Gateshead, ensuring children and young people of all abilities can access high-quality opportunities to be active, social and supported within their community. 

SEND sessions 

  • Dunston Leisure Centre: Inclusive swim - Wednesday 5.15pm-6pm and 6pm-6.45pm  
  • Blaydon Leisure Centre: Inclusive swim - Sunday 8am-9am 
  • Heworth Leisure Centre: Inclusive swim - Sunday 3pm-4pm 
  • SEN Soft Play session at Gatesehead International Stadium - Wednesday 6.30pm-7.30pm and Sunday 9am-10am 

Coming Soon 
 
We’re also excited to share that we’ll soon be working in partnership with Sense to launch a sensory badminton session, running on Wednesday daytime. This session will be open to anyone with a sensory impairment. More details will be announced soon.