Water Confidence and Safety Skills shine in Inclusive Lessons

“"It is so important to provide supportive, inclusive environments where everyone – no matter their ability, skill level, or age – can learn to swim and gain basic water safety knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, o,n and around water.”

Peter Farrer
COO, Scottish Water

A national campaign to promote inclusivity in swimming lessons is spotlighting inspiring families from Aberdeen whose experiences demonstrate the life-changing impacts swimming can have.  

The team behind the Learn to Swim National Framework, has launched the annual ‘See My Ability’ campaign which sets out to highlight that swimming is for everyone and aims to break down barriers for individuals with disabilities. 

Karen Caie, whose eight-year-old son Andrew lives with rare and complex conditions, shared how swimming lessons at Sport Aberdeen’s Tullos Swimming Pool have been pivotal in building Andrew’s water confidence and safety skills.

She said: “Swimming has given Andrew a sense of independence and joy that I never thought would be possible, given the challenges that he faces. 

“The instructors have been incredibly supportive, adapting lessons to his needs and helping him learn vital skills like floating and kicking to stay safe in water. I now feel confident that if he were ever near a pool, he could keep himself safe until help arrived.

"It’s also been a great experience for me as a parent. The team at Tullos Pool reassured me every step of the way, especially when Andrew progressed to lessons without me in the water with him. 

“Their patience, understanding, and focus on creating a positive environment have made all the difference."

Andrew, who lives with Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf Optic Atrophy Syndrome (BBS OAS Syndrome) and 22Q11.21 Duplication Syndrome, has overcome significant challenges to thrive in inclusive swimming lessons. 

BBS OAS Syndrome is an extremely rare genetic condition, with only around 360 known cases worldwide, and was only formally identified within the last 14 years. This condition, coupled with 22Q11.21 Duplication Syndrome—another rare genetic disorder—presents complex developmental and intellectual challenges.

Confidence and Friendships

Another Aberdeen parent, Craig Johnston, spoke about his son Callan, 10, who has autism and has progressed from Learn to Swim lessons to competing at a national level in just two years. 

Craig said: “Swimming has opened up a whole new world for Callan. It’s not just about safety—it’s given him confidence, friendships, and a passion for life in the water. 

“One thing I would say to other parents is that ASN swimming lessons and competitions cater to all abilities and impairments. 

“The teachers are incredibly patient and understand that every child is an individual, tweaking lessons where needed to suit each child.

"The competitions are fantastic as well, divided into different ‘classes’ based on a child’s best swim time. This means every child gets the chance to take part, compete, and even win a medal. As their times improve, they are promoted to higher classes, creating a clear pathway for progress and success. 

“It’s an incredibly supportive environment that celebrates every achievement, big or small.”

Opportunities

Sport Aberdeen sees over 5500 children take part in Learn to Swim lessons over its six pools, with 70% of children with additional support needs (ASN) in mainstream lessons. 

It provides a comprehensive range of opportunities across the city for individuals with additional support needs and their families.

These stories exemplify the inclusivity at the heart of the Learn to Swim Framework, which is delivered by 38 providers in 165 pools across Scotland. The programme strives to create welcoming environments where every child can thrive.

Euan Lowe, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: “Learning to swim should be accessible to everyone and anyone. The Learn to Swim programme provides a setting to allow children, no matter their ability, to learn the skill with their peers. 

“Not only is swimming a vital life skill but it is proven to have a positive impact on social development, which children may not get to experience to the same extent if they partake in one-to-one lessons.”

Peter Farrer, COO of Scottish Water, emphasised the importance of water safety: “Learning to swim is such a vital life skill, especially in Scotland where we have so many miles of rivers, reservoirs, lochs, and coastline.

“It’s great to hear about inspiring swimmers like Andrew and Callan, and how impactful their Learn to Swim lessons have been. 

“Sport Aberdeen exemplifies the values of Learn to Swim in helping to build inclusive and supportive environments where individuals of all ages and abilities can thrive, get active and learn, and enjoy swimming in a safe way. 

“It is so important to provide supportive, inclusive environments where everyone – no matter their ability, skill level, or age – can learn to swim and gain basic water safety knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on, and around water. Plus, they’ll also get to experience the other health and social benefits that swimming can offer - so hopefully this will encourage more children and parents to experience the benefits of learning to swim.”

Inclusive

The ‘See My Ability’ campaign has championed inclusivity since its inception in 2019, and recent results highlight its success. 

The approach promoted for disability swimming is to assess, allocate, and review. This encourages swimming lesson providers to create the best environment available, and if appropriate adapt lessons, to ensure children develop and progress. 

In some cases this might require smaller group sessions, one-to-one, or additional support, however, where possible “See My Ability” encourages providers to include children with disabilities in mainstream lessons to learn with their peers.

The programme has seen a rise in mainstream participation, with 66% of children with disabilities on the Learn to Swim Framework now enrolled in mainstream lessons compared to 54% in 2020. The campaign encourages children of all abilities to take part in swimming lessons in a safe and supportive environment.

Karen and Craig’s experiences highlight the far-reaching impact of the campaign in fostering inclusion and inspiring families to embrace swimming as a lifelong skill. Their stories demonstrate the broader social and health benefits of swimming, from confidence-building to creating a sense of community.

For more information about Sport Aberdeen, visit:  https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/activities/swimming/

For more information about Learn to Swim, visit: https://www.scottishswimming.com/learn-to-swim