SEND Swimming

Two years ago, I loved swimming. When I was pregnant with Elias' little brother, it became my safe haven — one of the few ways I could move my body without discomfort, one of the few places I could breathe (while above water of course) and feel in control. So I wanted to look for ways to share that experience with Elias.

Like many parents, I wanted him to learn to swim, to splash, to feel confident in water. To play. To enjoy. To just be a kid. We tried swimming lessons early on, before we knew the extent of his gross motor delay. Naturally he screamed the entire session and then one day the ceiling collapsed at the pool, and we took it as a sign to just stay at home.

But now he's older I wanted to see if we could try again. Different circumstances, different environment. I reached out to my local Better leisure centre — I’m already a member of their gym — and asked about swimming lessons for Elias. They advertise being inclusive and offer SEND classes at select pools. Their response was polite, but crushing: "Unfortunately, we don’t have any instructors trained to work with SEND pupils at your local pool at the moment."

That was it. No alternative suggestions. Just... not possible.

It hit me hard. Because Elias isn’t a diagnosis first — he’s a little boy. He’s cheeky and curious. To be fair, he hates the water. But that's just part of his charming personality and he deserves to be there, just like every other child. But once again, something that’s so simple for other families becomes another logistical nightmare for us.

There’s this quiet grief that sits in your chest when you’re raising a child with additional needs. Not because of who they are — never that — but because of how often the world tells you they can’t. Or worse, we won’t accommodate them.

It’s more than disappointment. It makes you feel like a burden. Like you’re asking too much, when all you want is access. Inclusion. A chance for your child to feel normal.

And it’s not just about swimming. It’s about the message it sends: that Elias doesn’t fit the mould, so the mould stays the same.

But I know we’re not alone. And while Better may not be ready to support him just yet, there are organisations out there doing brilliant work in this space. If you're also navigating this, here are some resources worth checking out:

Level Water

https://www.levelwater.org

Offers free one-to-one swimming lessons for children with physical and/or sensory disabilities across various UK pools.

Swim England – Inclusive Swimming

https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/inclusive-swimming/

Guidance, training, and links to inclusive swim providers.

Local SEND directories

Your local authority’s SEND Local Offer website often lists clubs and swimming groups in your area that support neurodivergent children or those with physical disabilities.

Disability Sports Coach

https://disabilitysportscoach.co.uk

They don’t offer swimming specifically, but they often signpost to inclusive sports sessions, including swim groups in certain boroughs.

Facebook SEND Parent Groups

Local and national SEND parenting communities often have the best up-to-date tips on inclusive swim lessons, waiting lists, or which pools are particularly SEND-friendly.

I’m still looking for the right pool for Elias — and honestly, the right people. Because when a child needs extra support, it’s not a reason to say no. It’s a reason to say how?

And I hope that one day soon, I’ll be sitting poolside, watching him paddle and giggle, just like any other kid.

Because he is just like any other kid. He just needs a little more help to dive in.