SWAT is an acronym for Support Workers Available
Today!
When did SWAT start?
SWAT is an initiative originally piloted
during Summer 2008.
What is SWAT?
The SWAT Project is a pool of experienced
Interplay workers who can be lent out to playschemes that don't have
Interplay working with them but have a child with special needs
attending.
How does it work?
If a scheme is having problems integrating a
young person into their scheme and would like some support, they can
contact us and we will send one or more of the SWAT team to the scheme.
What do SWAT workers do?
SWAT workers visit the scheme, assess the
situation and help the scheme to resolve any problems that they may be
experiencing. Sometimes it only needs a confident playworker used to
working with young people with special needs to ease the child into the
scheme and inspire confidence in the scheme workers, other times it may
be a bigger problem that'll take more than one worker or even input
from the manager or core staff of Interplay to solve.
How long does a SWAT worker stay at a scheme?
This wsill depend on the degree of difficulties
the scheme is having but it is hoped that the SWAT worker will not need
to stay more than a day or two. It is our intention that they will help
enable the scheme workers to deal with the problems and then move on.
What do SWAT workers do if no scheme needs them?
SWAT workers with no specific assignment work as
floating workers and are sent out to Interplay schemes but will remain
"on call" in case they are needed on another scheme.
How can a playscheme get a SWAT worker?
To talk about the SWAT project or arrange to have
a SWAT worker, please contact our office.
