Free Self-Assessment

Summer Programme Accessibility Self-Assessment

20 questions across 5 categories. Find out where your volunteer-run programme's accessibility gaps are before the first child arrives.

Questions

Section 1 — Legal Framework & Governance

Does your organisation have a written Equality Act policy covering your summer programme?

Yes — a standalone, named document reviewed in the last 12 monthsPartially — referenced within a broader safeguarding or equalities policyNo — it's handled informally or not at all

Does your organisation understand whether it operates as a service provider, an Association, or both under the Equality Act 2010?

Yes — we've taken advice or reviewed this formallyWe've discussed it informally but haven't formalised our positionNo — we haven't considered which category applies to us

Do your trustees or senior leaders take responsibility for ensuring volunteers understand and follow equality duties?

Yes — there's a named lead and documented accountabilityInformally — senior leaders are aware but it's not formally structuredNo — it's left to individual volunteers to manage

Does your complaints process include a specific pathway for accessibility and disability-related complaints?

Yes — with named escalation contacts and documented timelinesWe have a general complaints process but nothing specific to disabilityNo formal complaints process exists

Section 2 — Pre-Programme Planning & Contracts

Do your contracts with venues, transport providers and specialist contractors specify who is responsible for each aspect of accessibility?

Yes — accessibility responsibilities are set out explicitly in our contractsPartially — some arrangements are agreed informally but not all are in writingNo — we rely on assumption or goodwill between parties

Does your registration and booking process collect information about disability-related needs in a way that's accessible and treated confidentially?

Yes — we collect needs information, treat it confidentially and act on it proactivelyWe collect some information but don't always act on it consistentlyNo — we ask parents to flag needs on the day or don't ask at all

Have you assessed your programme's activities, locations and timings specifically for barriers that disabled children might face?

Yes — a formal assessment has been carried out and documentedWe've thought about it informally but haven't documented the assessmentNo — we address barriers reactively when they're raised

Section 3 — Volunteer Training & Communication

Do volunteers receive training on the Equality Act 2010 before the programme starts?

Yes — documented training covering legal obligations and practical decision-makingSome volunteers receive informal briefings but there's no consistent programmeNo — volunteers aren't trained on equality obligations

Do volunteers know who to contact when an accessibility issue arises during the programme?

Yes — there's a named decision-maker and volunteers are briefed before each programmeThere's an informal understanding but it isn't documented or consistently communicatedNo — volunteers are expected to manage these situations themselves

Are agreed reasonable adjustments for individual children documented and accessible to relevant volunteers?

Yes — adjustments are recorded and shared with all volunteers who need the informationWe document some arrangements but sharing across the team is inconsistentNo — arrangements are communicated verbally and not documented

Do your communication arrangements with parents and carers accommodate different needs — for example, parents who need written confirmation or who communicate in a different format?

Yes — we ask about communication preferences and adapt accordinglyWe try to be flexible but haven't formalised our approachNo — we use standard communication channels for everyone

Section 4 — Operational Accessibility

Do your emergency and evacuation procedures specifically account for disabled children?

Yes — individual evacuation plans are in place and volunteers are trained on themOur general evacuation plan references disabled participants but isn't individualisedNo — evacuation procedures don't specifically address disabled children

Do your medication and health management arrangements meet the needs of disabled children who require medical support during the programme?

Yes — clear processes cover storage, administration, timing, consent and record-keepingWe have informal arrangements but no consistent written processNo — we don't have documented processes for medication and health management

Can your activities and programme structure be adapted for children with a range of disabilities — physical, sensory, cognitive and neurodivergent needs?

Yes — our programme is designed with flexibility and we've assessed adaptation optionsWe can adapt some activities but haven't systematically assessed all of themNo — our programme is largely one-format and we rely on families to let us know if it doesn't work

Are your behavioural policies reviewed to ensure they don't disadvantage children whose behaviour is related to disability?

Yes — our behavioural policy distinguishes between conduct and disability-related behaviourWe try to apply judgement but there's no formal distinction in our policyNo — our behavioural policy applies uniformly to all children

Section 5 — Disputes, Data & Resolution

If an accessibility dispute arises, does your organisation have a clear process for reviewing decisions quickly before positions become entrenched?

Yes — we have a defined review process with timelines and named contactsWe respond to complaints but there's no structured process for accelerated reviewNo — disputes are managed on an ad hoc basis

Is your organisation aware that volunteer communications — including WhatsApp messages, emails and handwritten notes — may be disclosable in a Subject Access Request or formal complaint process?

Yes — volunteers are briefed on this and we have clear guidance on record-keepingWe're aware informally but haven't formally briefed volunteersNo — this isn't something we've addressed

Does your organisation consider mediation or early intervention as a tool for resolving accessibility disputes before they become formal complaints?

Yes — mediation is referenced in our complaints process as an early-stage optionWe'd consider it if suggested but haven't formalised the optionNo — we focus on formal complaint and investigation processes

After a complaint is resolved, does your organisation update its systems, training or policies to address the underlying cause?

Yes — lessons are reviewed formally and documented changes are madeWe discuss what went wrong informally but changes aren't systematically madeNo — each complaint is treated as a standalone event

Does your organisation's data protection governance cover how disability-related information about participants is collected, stored, shared with volunteers and deleted?

Yes — we have a clear data retention and sharing policy covering disability informationWe have general GDPR policies but disability-specific data isn't addressed separatelyNo — data governance for participant disability information isn't something we've formalised

This self-assessment is provided for information only and does not constitute legal advice. For organisation-specific guidance, contact us.