A YEOVIL mother said a Wellington recreation centre's decision to bar entry to her Down's Syndrome son amounts to discrimination.

Staff at Flip Out Somerset said they were simply following protocol.

The mother said she had booked in for her and her children to go to the Wellington Flip Out and had signed the necessary waiver forms but, after her children were given their socks and wrist bands and were about to enter the play area, a member of staff approached the family and asked if her son had Down’s Syndrome.

The staff member told the mother that her son could not enter due to his disability after she had confirmed he had the syndrome.

 “This obviously was very distressing for my children who were waiting to go in and were very excited," she said. "This was also very distressing for me and in this day and age completely unacceptable, it's discrimination."

Following guidelines

Flip Out staff said they were following guidelines issued by the British Gymnastics Association and The Down’s Syndrome Association. Such guidance recommends that, prior to taking part in activities, customers with Down’s Syndrome are asked to obtain evidence that a GP or paediatrician has screened them using the a test developed by the BGA for potential physical instability.

Approval for participation that is signed by the GP or paediatrician must be provided before taking part in any of their trampolining activities, Flip Out Somerset said.

“I explained to them that we had been before and there were no issue," the mother said. "My son is fully able to jump, run and walk like any other child. He is fully mobile."

The company does everything in its power to ensure customers have fun and are safe, said Jeremy Appiah, Flip Out Somerset's general manager.

“These are extremely challenging conversations for staff to have with parents and their children about the guidance, but I know that this was done in a sensitive manner,” Appiah said. “While this situation is regretful, it is the only way that we can guarantee the safety of all of our customers."

The family was given a full refund.

"We look forward to welcoming them back when they have the relevant paperwork from their GP or paediatrician,” Appiah said.