Making outdoor adventure accessible

At PGL, we believe that outdoor adventure should be accessible to every young person. Our approach is built around inclusion, ensuring that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or Additional Support Needs (ASN) can take part confidently and with the support they need to thrive.

We understand that every group is unique. Whether you’re bringing students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory needs or neurodiverse conditions, our specially trained teams work with you from the very first conversation to the final farewell. Together, we’ll plan a residential that is safe, empowering and full of possibility.

Find out how we are supporting SEND and ASN students.

A boy in a green jacket and harness climbs a wooden pole during an outdoor ropes course activity, smiling at the camera.

A boy lies on a pile of colorful bean bags, smiling at the camera. In the background, people play tabletop games and a large Connect Four game is visible.

A group of children wearing harnesses sit outside near a wooden building, with inflatable water equipment visible in the background.

A person wearing a helmet and life vest paddles a green canoe on a calm lake under a partly cloudy sky.

Our SEND and ASN commitment

We’re committed to making our centres accessible to all guests and giving every child the best experience possible. If your group has any children who have additional needs, please share these with us before your visit. The more detail you provide, the better we can:

Assess service provision fairly
Identify resources for accessibility, activity adaptations, and safety
Ensure successful participation and wellbeing

Our commitment to inclusivity extends to our colleagues too. We are proud members of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative, and are an accredited Disability Confident Employer.

How we support SEND and ASN guests

Through our people, planning, facilities and equipment we are here to support your individual needs.

A woman wearing a blue vest and sunglasses talks with two girls outdoors on a sunny day, holding a clipboard.

Dedicated SEND & ASN Advisors

Every centre has a specialist SEND and ASN expert who can take care of any accessibility and activity adaptations, available before and during your stay. Find out more

Person in outdoor gear and helmet holding paddles stands on a gravel path, looking toward a grassy area with water and other people in the distance, under a tree at sunset.

Accessible accommodation & facilities

Centres feature wheelchair-friendly paths, adapted activity spaces, quiet sensory areas, and accessible en suite bedrooms with safety features. Please check with your advisor when booking, for the specific facilities of your chosen centre.

Three children in harnesses climb on wooden beams suspended outdoors, surrounded by green foliage, during a ropes course activity.

Tailored activity support

Activities follow a challenge-by-choice ethos and can be adapted to suit a wide range of needs, ensuring every guest can participate confidently.

A man pushes a girl in an all-terrain wheelchair along a gravel path in a park, with trees and a wooden building in the background.

Specialist equipment

Inclusive harnesses, water sports adaptations, and mobility aids are available to make activities accessible. Find out more

Planning made simple

From your first enquiry, our team makes planning a trip that everyone can enjoy stress-free and straightforward:

Icon of a paper or document with two horizontal lines and a pencil drawing on it, representing writing or editing.

Comprehensive forms to help us understand every child’s needs.

A simple dark blue magnifying glass icon on a light grey background.

Preview visits for guests and carers to ease anxieties before the trip.

We’ll recommend, agree and put in place suitable adjustments for guests.

You’ll have an experienced SEND and ASN Advisor available on-site to assist you.

Planning tip: We accommodate children with SEND and ASN year-round, but we recommend booking quieter times such as spring and early autumn for added flexibility with specific individual needs.

Specially-trained centre teams

Every PGL centre has a dedicated team of SEND Advisors, our specialists in accessibility, sensory needs, and activity adaptations. They know everything about their centre, from accessible bedrooms and wheelchair-friendly paths to quiet spots for guests with sensory needs.

If your group has high levels of SEND requirements or a guest with specific needs, our SEND Advisors are available to discuss these before travelling. For some guests with physical needs, we may recommend a preview visit, which helps our SEND Advisors ensure equipment fits safely and gives the guest a chance to feel comfortable with their surroundings, taking away some of the apprehension. Parents and carers are welcome to join these visits too, whether they’re coming on the trip or not, so they can meet the team and feel confident too.

A cafeteria worker in uniform serves food to a boy at a self-service counter; the boy holds his nose while the worker smiles.

A woman wearing a pink helmet and blue jacket talks to two children in yellow helmets and life jackets near a body of water, all holding paddles.

Specialist equipment

A lot of our activities can be adapted without any specialist kit, but when it comes to the more technical bits we need some extra equipment. . We understand that seeing how specialist equipment is used can be reassuring and help guests feel more confident before travelling. Below are some examples of the equipment we provide.

A person wearing a helmet and harness sits in a suspended swing, waving with one hand, against a clear blue sky and climbing structure.

Kite/Access harness

This harness offers additional back and leg support for guests with limited mobility. It allows safe participation in climbing and rope-based activities while prioritising comfort and security.

A person sitting in a canoe has their life jacket straps checked and secured by another individual. Both are wearing safety gear, including helmets and life vests.

Aquabac

The Aquabac is a buoyant support system for water-based activities. It helps guests with physical needs stay stable and comfortable in the water, making watersports more accessible.

A blue off-road wheelchair with large, rugged tires is positioned on a gravel path with grass and trees in the background.

Paratreker

A robust, all-terrain wheelchair designed for outdoor adventures. The Paratreker enables guests to explore uneven paths and nature trails safely, ensuring everyone can enjoy the full experience.

Note: Guests must be able to hold their head up and self-transfer into equipment.

View more videos on what to expect

A person wearing a helmet and harness rides a zipline against a cloudy sky, with arms and legs outstretched.

An adult and a child wearing blue jackets and harnesses smile and interact outdoors near wooden poles and trees, likely at an adventure park or ropes course.

A typical day at PGL – SEND and ASN inclusive edition

Each day at PGL is carefully planned to offer a mix of land, water, and rope-based activities that can be adapted to suit a wide range of SEND or ASN needs. With inclusive equipment and support from our SEND & ASN Advisors, every guest is encouraged to take part at their own pace and comfort level.

View our activity adjustments