Good morning I wonder if anyone can help me? My partner works at a school. As part of their curriculum they are arranging a day with the army, where they come into school and the children undertake various activities. They are generally what we used to call 'command tasks' when I was in the army. Nothing too arduous, mainly pretend river crossings etc. in a field. My partner has been informed by the army that they will not allow any children diagnosed with ADHD to take part. Personally I think this is discriminatory and cannot see how this could be justified. Teaching staff will be on hand and no other groups have been identified as not being able to take part. Does anyone have any experience of this or reasoning? I realise this isn't strictly H&S, but just wondered if anyone could advise? Many thanks Ian

Hi Yes, however, children will often be under medication and according to people who work with them, may be no worse behaved than anyone else? Teaching staff will be there as well. It's a difficult matter because other children who may have other physical or mental conditions are not being kept out, for example autism, aspergers etc. The issue I think is one of whether the DDA applies as well, or if the army have crown immunity in this case as well? Thanks Ian

Good on the Army I say, They have obviously put time and effort into their risk assessments and have put a control in for a forseeable risk. I understand that it probably doesn't seem politically correct, but they are worried about safety, the forces are now one of the most PC organisations that I know of, so they wouldn't take exclusion lightly. Surely you shouldn't be putting people in danger just to satisy the Equality Act, that doesn't stand up in other arenas such as HM Forces, Policing, Firefighting etc..... it's also why some short people aren't allowed on rollercoasters..... correct me if I a wrong though... Having a teacher on hand won't stop someone 'falling off the log' I presume.....

Hi Ian, I have to agree with you, that if the risks are that minimal then why exclude. Are you sure the exclusion is for safety reasons rather than a management one, has it been raised with their OC? I was thinking climbing wall type scenarios'...

Is the unit undertaking all the exercises themselves? Has the school discussed this at an early enough stage to discuss individual needs and what joint assistance could be given to overcome this kind of thing? If not then I expect the team have been put solely in charge and likely to be expected to undertake these exercises themselves hence their rules apply!

Thanks Bob I may also contact you offline. Cheers Ian

Ron That's a good point about being shouted at. I'll mention that when I discuss it. Thanks Ian