Waiver

Nature of our sessions and events

Autism Support Allies provides sensory support services, sensory safe spaces, sensory field sessions, event support and related activities for individuals, families, children, young people, adults, weddings, events and community settings.

Our sessions and sensory spaces are designed to provide calm, supportive and inclusive environments. Individual responses to sensory resources, environments, people, animals, equipment, activities, noise, crowds, transitions, weather and unexpected changes can vary and cannot always be predicted.

Autism Support Allies is not a medical, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, childcare, respite, personal care or emergency service.

Authority to agree

By booking or attending a session, event, activity or service, you confirm that you are either attending for yourself or that you are the parent, guardian, carer, personal assistant or responsible adult for the individual attending.

If you are agreeing on behalf of a child, young person, vulnerable adult or another person you support or care for, you confirm that you have authority to agree to this waiver on their behalf.

Parent, guardian, carer and responsible adult responsibility

Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults remain responsible for the supervision, welfare, behaviour, personal care and safety of those in their care at all times unless a separate written agreement states otherwise.

Autism Support Allies staff and volunteers may provide sensory support, guidance, activities, resources, equipment, space and event support, but this does not replace the responsibility of the parent, guardian, carer, personal assistant or responsible adult.

Children, young people and vulnerable adults must not be left unattended on site or at an event unless this has been specifically agreed in writing as part of a separate service arrangement.

Suitability and individual risk assessment

By bringing an individual you support, care for or are responsible for to a session, event, activity or service, you confirm that you have considered whether the environment, activity, equipment, materials, animals, people, setting and event conditions are suitable for that individual’s needs, risks and circumstances.

You remain responsible for deciding whether the individual you support or care for should take part in, continue, pause or leave an activity, session, event or environment.

You agree to monitor the individual you support or care for throughout the session, event or activity and to act promptly if they become distressed, dysregulated, unsafe, overwhelmed, unwell, at risk of absconding, at risk of harming themselves or others, or at risk of unsafe use or consumption of materials or equipment.

Information you must provide

You agree to tell Autism Support Allies in advance about any information that may affect safe participation, suitability, support or supervision.

This may include, but is not limited to:

• access needs;
• sensory needs;
• communication needs;
• medical considerations;
• allergies;
• mobility needs;
• toileting or personal care needs;
• feeding or swallowing concerns;
• PICA, mouthing, chewing or eating non-food items;
• choking risks;
• absconding or running risks;
• distress, dysregulation or emotional regulation needs;
• behaviour support needs;
• known triggers;
• risk of self-injury or harm to others;
• animal fears, allergies or risks;
• any other information that may affect safety, suitability or support.

If relevant information is not provided, or if information is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date, this may affect our ability to provide the service safely or appropriately. In some cases, we may need to amend, pause, refuse or cancel participation.

Neurodivergence, changing needs and unpredictable responses

Autism Support Allies recognises that autistic people, neurodivergent people and individuals with sensory, communication, emotional regulation, learning or support needs may respond differently to environments, people, animals, activities, materials, equipment, noise, crowds, transitions, waiting times, weather, smells, lighting, textures or unexpected changes.

Needs, risks and responses can change quickly and may not always be predictable. Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults remain responsible for monitoring the individual they support or care for and for deciding whether continued participation is suitable.

Autism Support Allies may adapt, pause, move, end or refuse continued participation in any activity, session, event or service where we believe this is necessary for safety, wellbeing, suitability or the comfort and safety of others.

PICA, mouthing, choking and materials

Some activities may involve materials, resources or equipment that are not suitable for individuals who mouth, chew, ingest or seek to consume non-food items.

These may include, but are not limited to, paint, craft materials, glue, slime, playdough, sand, water, bubbles, sensory items, loose parts, natural materials, toys, tools, fabrics, liquids, food-based sensory resources, small items or other materials used during sessions or events.

Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults are responsible for assessing this risk before participation and for providing close supervision at all times.

Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults are responsible for preventing unsafe use, mouthing, chewing, swallowing, choking or consumption of materials, equipment or resources.

Autism Support Allies may remove, restrict, adapt or stop access to any material, equipment, resource or activity where we believe there is a risk to safety, wellbeing or suitability.

Activities, equipment and sensory environments

Sessions and events may include a range of activities, equipment and environments. These may vary depending on the event, setting, weather, staffing, venue rules, third-party involvement, individual needs, safety considerations and risk assessments.

Activities, equipment and resources may include, but are not limited to, sensory equipment, lights, electrical equipment, tents, outdoor spaces, calming areas, movement-based activities, creative activities, messy play, craft activities, water play, sand play, natural materials, loose parts, relaxation activities, music, sound, bubbles, seating, mats, fabrics, sensory toys, field-based activities and event support.

All attendees must use equipment, materials and resources safely, respectfully and only in the way instructed.

You agree to follow all safety guidance, instructions, signs, boundaries and requests given by Autism Support Allies staff, volunteers, venue staff, event organisers or relevant third parties.

Electrical equipment, lights and sensory resources

Some sessions, sensory spaces or events may include lights, lamps, projectors, cables, battery-powered equipment, plug-in equipment, extension leads or other electrical sensory resources.

Attendees must not tamper with, move, pull, chew, mouth, climb on, unplug, damage or misuse electrical equipment, cables, plugs, lights or related resources.

Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults must closely supervise individuals who may be drawn to lights, cables, switches, electrical items or sensory equipment.

Autism Support Allies may remove, turn off, restrict or stop use of any electrical item, light or sensory resource where we believe there is a safety, suitability or wellbeing concern.

Outdoor field, event and venue risks

Some sessions and events may take place outdoors or in temporary spaces such as fields, tents, event spaces, wedding venues, community venues or third-party locations.

Outdoor and event-based environments may involve risks including, but not limited to, uneven ground, mud, water, wet surfaces, plants, insects, animals, weather changes, heat, cold, wind, rain, lighting changes, low light, noise, crowds, queues, vehicles, parking areas, temporary structures, cables, trip hazards, venue restrictions, access limitations and third-party activity.

Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults are responsible for assessing whether outdoor conditions are suitable for the individual they support or care for, including clothing, footwear, mobility, allergies, hydration, temperature, toileting and other personal needs.

Autism Support Allies may adapt, move, delay, pause, close or cancel an outdoor or event-based activity where we believe this is necessary for safety, accessibility, welfare or suitability.

Animals and visiting organisations

Some events may involve animals, visiting organisations, demonstrations, activities or third-party providers.

Animals can be unpredictable, and individuals may respond differently to animals, sounds, smells, movement, touch, crowds or waiting times.

Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults are responsible for deciding whether contact with or proximity to animals is suitable for the individual they support or care for.

Attendees must follow all instructions given by Autism Support Allies, the animal owner, visiting organisation, venue or event organiser. Attendees must not touch, feed, chase, frighten, lift, restrain or interfere with animals unless clearly permitted by the animal owner or responsible handler.

Autism Support Allies is not responsible for the acts, omissions, animals, equipment, safety procedures or decisions of third-party animal owners, visiting organisations or external providers, except where the law does not allow responsibility to be excluded.

Food, drink and allergies

Food and drink may be provided by third-party vendors, venues, event organisers or families. Autism Support Allies is not responsible for the preparation, ingredients, allergens, suitability, labelling, storage, serving or consumption of food or drink provided by third parties.

Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults are responsible for checking food, drink and allergy suitability for the individual they support or care for.

You must tell Autism Support Allies in advance about any allergy or food-related risk that may affect safe participation, especially where food-based sensory activities or third-party food vendors may be present.

Third-party vendors, venues, suppliers and event organisers

Events may involve third-party venues, vendors, suppliers, entertainers, activity providers, animal handlers, food providers, photographers, event organisers, volunteers or other external organisations.

You may be required to follow the rules, terms, safety procedures and instructions of those third parties.

Third-party providers, visiting businesses, vendors, entertainers, animal handlers and activity providers are responsible for holding their own appropriate insurance, completing their own risk assessments, supervising and managing their own staff, volunteers, animals, products, equipment, food, drink, activities and services, and complying with all relevant laws, regulations and safety requirements.

Autism Support Allies is not responsible for the acts, omissions, facilities, services, restrictions, access arrangements, safety procedures, equipment, food, drink, animals, staff, volunteers, products or decisions of third-party venues, vendors, suppliers, event organisers or external organisations, except where the law does not allow responsibility to be excluded.

Autism Support Allies is not responsible for incidents, injury, illness, loss, damage, allergic reactions, food-related issues, animal-related incidents, product issues or other harm arising from the acts, omissions, products, animals, equipment, food, drink, services or activities of third-party providers, except where the law does not allow responsibility to be excluded.

Volunteers, staff and event support

Autism Support Allies may involve staff, volunteers, helpers, third-party providers or event support personnel at sessions and events.

Staff and volunteers may support with the environment, activities, guidance, general assistance, information, signposting and safety awareness. They do not replace the responsibility of parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants or responsible adults unless a separate written agreement states otherwise.

Volunteers and third-party providers may have different roles and responsibilities depending on the event. Autism Support Allies may provide relevant safety information to staff, volunteers and third parties where appropriate.

First aid, medical care and emergencies

Autism Support Allies may provide basic first aid support where appropriate and where someone suitably trained or able is available. Basic first aid does not replace medical care, clinical care or emergency services.

Autism Support Allies does not provide medical treatment, clinical assessment, diagnosis, medication administration, personal care, one-to-one care, childcare, respite care or emergency medical care unless specifically agreed in writing as part of a separate service arrangement.

Parents, guardians, carers, personal assistants and responsible adults remain responsible for medication, medical needs, personal care, toileting, feeding, mobility support and any individual care needs unless a separate written agreement states otherwise.

In an emergency, Autism Support Allies may contact emergency services and/or the emergency contact provided.

Behaviour and safety

We aim to provide safe, respectful and inclusive spaces. We expect all attendees, families, carers, staff, volunteers, suppliers and visitors to behave respectfully towards others.

We may refuse entry, ask someone to leave, pause participation, remove access to equipment, end a session or contact appropriate authorities where we believe there is a safeguarding concern, safety risk, abusive behaviour, threatening behaviour, harassment, discrimination, damage to property, unsafe conduct, distress, dysregulation or behaviour that places the individual, staff, volunteers, third parties, other attendees or members of the public at risk.

Photography, video and media

Photos or videos must not be taken of other attendees without permission.

Autism Support Allies may take photographs or videos for promotional, website, social media or record-keeping purposes only where appropriate consent has been given.

Where children, young people or vulnerable individuals are involved, appropriate parent, guardian, carer or responsible adult consent will be required before identifiable photographs or videos are used for promotional purposes.

You can withdraw consent for future use by contacting Autism Support Allies. Please note that where content has already been shared publicly, we may not always be able to remove copies that have been saved, shared or reposted by others.

Personal belongings

Personal belongings remain your responsibility. Autism Support Allies is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal items unless caused by our negligence.

Risk acknowledgement

You understand and accept that participation in sensory sessions, field sessions, event activities, outdoor environments, group settings, animal-related activities, sensory activities, craft activities, messy play, movement-based activities and use of equipment or materials may involve risks that cannot be fully removed.

These risks may include, but are not limited to, slips, trips, falls, choking, allergic reactions, sensory overwhelm, distress, dysregulation, absconding, unsafe use of materials, mouthing or ingestion of non-food items, injury from equipment, outdoor hazards, animal-related risks, electrical equipment risks, weather-related risks, crowd-related risks and risks linked to individual responses or behaviours.

You agree that you are responsible for considering these risks in relation to yourself or the individual you support or care for before attending or participating.

Liability

Autism Support Allies takes reasonable care to provide safe, calm and supportive environments. However, participation in sessions, services, events, activities and use of equipment or materials is voluntary, and individual responses can vary.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Autism Support Allies will not be responsible for loss, damage, injury, illness, delay, disruption or cancellation caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control. This may include weather, venue restrictions, access issues, illness, emergencies, third-party suppliers, behaviour of attendees, lack of supervision, inaccurate or incomplete information provided to us, failure to follow instructions, unsafe use of equipment or materials, consumption of non-food items, allergies not disclosed to us, animal-related incidents involving third parties, or individual responses to sensory environments, activities, materials or equipment.

Autism Support Allies will not be responsible where injury, illness, loss, damage or harm occurs because a parent, guardian, carer, personal assistant, responsible adult or attendee has failed to provide relevant information, failed to supervise appropriately, failed to follow safety guidance, allowed unsafe use of materials or equipment, allowed unsafe contact with animals, or decided to participate in an activity or environment that was unsuitable for the individual’s known needs or risks.

Nothing in this waiver limits or excludes liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or any other matter that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

Agreement

By booking, ticking the agreement box, attending a session, attending an event, using a sensory space, participating in an activity or bringing an individual you support or care for to Autism Support Allies, you confirm that:

• you have read, understood and agree to this Participation Waiver, Risk Acknowledgement & Responsibility Agreement;
• you have read, understood and agree to the Autism Support Allies Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and any relevant event information;
• you are responsible for assessing whether participation is suitable for yourself or the individual you support or care for;
• you will provide accurate and relevant information about any needs, risks, allergies, medical considerations, PICA, choking risks, absconding risks or support requirements;
• you will supervise any child, young person, vulnerable adult or individual in your care at all times unless a separate written agreement states otherwise;
• you will follow safety instructions, venue rules, staff guidance and event instructions;
• you understand that some risks cannot be fully removed from sensory, outdoor, animal-related, event-based, group or activity-based environments.