Code Hamsters (Simple Platform Work Limited)
Version 1.0, approved 13 October 2026 by Mathew Long, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Next review: October 2027, or sooner after any incident or change in the law or guidance.
We welcome children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and physical, sensory and medical needs. We want every child to enjoy coding with us, and we will make reasonable adjustments so that they can.
1. What we can and cannot offer
Our tutors are not SEND specialists. They are not trained or qualified as special educational needs teachers or teaching assistants, and we cannot offer one-to-one support. Sessions are run in small groups by one tutor.
Within that, we can usually:
- seat a child where they are most comfortable, for example near the front or away from noise
- give instructions in smaller steps, in writing as well as out loud, or with extra time
- agree a quiet space or a short break the child can ask for
- warn a child in advance about changes to the session
- allow ear defenders, fidget items or other aids the child already uses
- use the strategies that already work for your child at school or at home
2. Tell us before your child starts
Please tell us about your child’s needs, what helps them and what upsets them on the registration form when you book. If your child has an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) or a support plan at school, it helps to tell us what it says about learning in a group. We keep this information confidential, as our privacy policy explains.
If you are not sure whether a session will suit your child, talk to us before you book: email matt@codehamsters.com or call +44 7877 742502.
3. When we need your help
Some children need more support than one tutor in a group can give safely. Where that is the case, we may ask for your help, for example:
- a parent, carer or the child’s own support worker staying for all or part of each session
- shorter sessions, or a gradual start, while your child settles in
- a written plan, agreed with you, for what to do if your child becomes distressed
- being available by phone during the session, and able to collect your child if needed
4. Talking it through with you
If your child is finding sessions hard, or their needs or behaviour are affecting their own safety or other children’s learning, we will arrange a discussion with you. Together we will look at what is happening, what has worked elsewhere, and what support we can reasonably put in place. We will write down what we agree and review it after a few sessions.
If, after trying reasonable adjustments, we cannot meet your child’s needs safely, we will tell you honestly and explain why. Our behaviour and exclusion policy explains how we handle behaviour, and how we take a child’s needs into account before any decision.
5. Medical needs
For medical conditions and emergency medication, see our health and safety policy. Children who need extra help to leave the building in an emergency have a personal evacuation plan, as set out in our fire safety and evacuation plan.