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This
project is no longer active as the funding has expired.
The
project supports children and families who may be experiencing social
exclusion as a result of physical impairment, learning difference,
disadvantage or illness. The main aims of the project are to help children and
families develop Circles of Support and to work with the community
to promote inclusion.
Circles of
Support
People who
know the focus child are invited to join the circle and to meet regularly with
other circle members.
The aim of the circle is to support the child and their
family to problem solve and plan so that the child may achieve their potential
and realise their dreams and ambitions.
Alternatively, a Circle of Support can develop within school and in such
circumstances, the circle members belong to the focus child’s peer group. The
primary objective of this circle is to facilitate the development of
friendships; hence they are sometimes referred to as Circle of Friends.
Circle of Friends
This technique has been successfully employed in UK schools since 1994 to
support children who are at risk of isolation through disability,
learning differences or disadvantage.
The United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child details 2 articles that relate
directly to inclusive play:
Article 23: The right to active participation in the community.
Article 31: The right to play and leisure.
These rights
apply equally and without discrimination to all young people under the age of 18
years. Circle of friends is recognised as having a positive impact on the focus
child as well as circle members and the school. The work of the Children’s
Project, Glasgow, is based on the belief
that all people, regardless of their ability, are equal and are entitled to make
a contribution to society.
Circles Network Scotland
Scottish Charity number: SC038068
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