Sport and Leisure Scheme

As part of the Kent Pledge to children and young people looked after by Kent County Council and those children and young people in care placed in Kent by another local authority, arrangements have been established for free access to certain leisure facilities across the County.  Free facilities may vary within different Districts. The scheme is currently available in:

• Dover
• Maidstone
• Thanet
• Tonbridge & Malling

In all cases the young person needs to be resident within a district boundary to access that district's scheme and an application form will need to be submitted for each child. Please contact Leisure Centres directly for their terms and conditions. Schemes will be reviewed every 6 months.

Dover
Age range 5 - 17 years (2 passport photos required)

• Dover Leisure Centre
• Tides Leisure, Deal

Maidstone
Age range 5 - 17 years (no photos required)

• Maidstone Leisure Centre

Tonbridge & Malling
Age range 0 - 17 years (photos not necessary. *permission for web-cam will be needed)

• Larkfield Leisure Centre
• Angel Centre
• Tonbridge Pool

Thanet
Although Thanet is not part of the scheme, there are free facilities available. The pools below are offering free access for under 16s until 2011. Access is anytime, except during school hours, with a time limit of 2 hours per session. Application forms are available from Hartsdown and Ramsgate leisure centres, a passport size photo and proof of age are needed.

• Hartsdown Leisure Centre
• Ramsgate Swimming Centre

How to get a leisure pass for a looked after child in Kent

Applications for leisure passes must be submitted by social workers.:

• Application form - word version
• Application form - PDF version

Procedure for Kent looked after children:

1. The child's Social Worker must complete the application Form and attach photos (if required).
2. The child's Social Worker must forward completed Application Form to the District Manager for signature
3. The District Manager must forward completed Application form to the named contact at the Leisure Centre

Procedure for Other Local Authority looked after children living in Kent:

1. The child's Social Worker must complete the application Form and attach photos (if required)
2. The child's Social Worker must forward completed Application Form to their Manager for signature
3. The Manager must forward completed Application form to Ann Parnell, Clover House, Thanet Way, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3QZ
4. Ann Parnell will forward valid completed Application Forms to the named contact at the Leisure Centre

If you have any questions about the scheme please email virtual.school.kent@kent.gov.uk