Kef Kids Ltd

Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Kef Kids Ltd 1 Kef Kids Ltd Kef Kids Ltd Arbiter House, Wilberforce Road, West Hendon, London NW9 6AX Inspection under the social care common inspection framework

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disabled children

Kef Kids is a Jewish, London-based charity supporting the lives of children and young adults who have physical and learning disabilities, and their families. The organisation has been holding camps since 2006. Kef provides a range of residential camps throughout the year for children aged from four upwards. Separate camps are held for different ages and gender groups.

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disabled children

At the camp inspected, 39 children and 13 young adults were attending. They were supported by 115 volunteers.

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disabled children

This holiday scheme registered with Ofsted in July 2020. The registered manager registered with Ofsted in May 2021.

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Overall experience and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The residential holiday scheme for disabled children provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the residential holiday scheme contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people.

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outstanding

Date of previous inspection: not applicable

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Kef Kids Ltd 2

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outstanding

Children enjoy life-enriching holidays which value their uniqueness, capabilities, cultural traditions and their faith. The extensive range of activities significantly enhances children’s experiences, choices, understanding and independence. A parent equated it to Disneyland, describing the camp by saying, ‘[It is] another world, where the daily challenges they face regularly in the real world simply don’t exist. Kef loves to make the impossible a reality for our special children.’

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outstanding

The organisation offers children an impressive array of exciting and innovative experiences. Staff and volunteers are skilled in sourcing and securing safe, fun activities geared towards disabled children. This year these activities include speed boating for wheelchair users, rock climbing, bungee jumping and cycling on adapted bicycles and tandems.

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outstanding

Children benefit from the vast number of activities available to them. This includes external visits from a petting zoo, a dance workshop, a sensory theatre and a magic show. Children also enjoy going out, for example visiting various theme parks. After each camp children receive an individualised photographic book which captures their daily memories.

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outstanding

Children benefit from excellent care planning. A parent highlighted, ‘Staff truly care and do way above and beyond.’ A significant amount of time is taken to get to know children, especially if this is their first time away from home. This involves home visits to understand the child’s unique needs and liaising with schools and professionals who are involved with the children’s care.

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outstanding

Children thrive within a nurturing atmosphere where their independence is highly encouraged. This makes a demonstrable difference to the lives and experiences of children during their holiday. An example was given of a child undertaking a personal care task independently for the first time. A parent described the care as ‘outstanding beginning to end’.

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outstanding

Camp encourages children to be proud of their individuality and their Jewish heritage. Religious activities are included in the weekly schedules, which include Shabbos prayers, ceremonies and meals. Birthdays and bat and bar mitzvahs are celebrated. Children enjoy a kosher diet and their diverse dietary needs and allergies are catered for effectively.

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outstanding

The commitment to children’s health, educational, emotional, social and psychological needs is exceptional. Children benefit from excellent health arrangements from a range of professionals. These include doctors, nurses, a Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Kef Kids Ltd 3 nutritionist, a physiotherapist, occupational therapists, special educational needs teachers and mental health support workers.

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outstanding

The camp provides commendable support to children with complex medical needs. Volunteers receive training specific to children’s needs, which includes managing epilepsy, gastronomical conditions and manual handling. The professional support and well-trained volunteers ensure that children receive the expert health services and treatment that they need.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children benefit from good safeguarding arrangements. A child confirmed that they felt safe and stated, ‘Everyone here is so kind.’ Parents highlight that ‘everything that Kef does is with the safety of the children in mind’ and that children are ‘extremely safe and very well cared for’.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is meticulous monitoring of children’s well-being. Safeguarding is discussed at daily meetings and actions are taken to safeguard children. These actions include regular spot checks. The registered manager is aware of the risks of ‘closed cultures’ and the particular needs of disabled children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager liaises with relevant safeguarding professionals if there are any concerns regarding a child’s welfare. All volunteers are trained in safeguarding and they know where they should refer concerns both internally and externally. All staff have been subject to safe recruitment checks, which helps to protect children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Leaders and managers prioritise the protection of children. In the event of a fire, each child has their own individual evacuation plan which details the support they may need. Children’s risk assessments also highlight any concerns related to their individual care.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children, volunteers and staff wear a lanyard which outlines the child protection procedures and the contact details for local safeguarding personnel, the police and Ofsted. The registered manager has a protocol with the local police force in the event of a child going missing from care. The high staffing ratio also ensures children’s safety.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Camp focuses on promoting positive behaviour. Staff work with families to understand children’s needs, and behavioural plans are received from schools. There is a good understanding of children’s preferences and what upsets them. Children’s achievements are positively recognised and they are able to earn medals.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The physical environment of the holiday scheme is very safe, secure and protects children from harm or the risk of harm. Before the holiday starts, appropriate health and safety checks inform risk assessments of the physical environment and fire safety. Onsite security further protects children throughout the day and night. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Kef Kids Ltd 4 Sleeping arrangements are individualised and safe. These are based on each child’s expertly assessed needs. They are made in agreement with the child and their parents, carers or professionals who support them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are inspirational, confident and ambitious for children and influential in improving the experiences of the whole family. The registered manager stated, ‘Meeting children’s needs is rubbish. We want to exceed in meeting children’s needs.’ A parent stated, ‘I t is an incredible camp with truly outstanding staff and administration.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The organisation’s excellent work has been formally recognised by various awards. These include an honour by the Queen and an innovation award from a volunteer network. The organisation’s excellent practice is shared with other nationwide groups for disabled children and adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children receive care from a vast number of volunteers. This enables all children to have one-to-one support, and children with more complex needs have two volunteers supporting them. Children usually know these individuals from the organisation’s other schemes and clubs, which provides excellent continuity of care. A parent stated, ‘Staff are literally angels in human form. They are the most giving, selfless, caring, dedicated, patient people.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers create a culture of aspiration and positivity and have high expectations of their staff and volunteers in order to ensure that all children have high-quality, enjoyable holidays. Excellent partnership arrangements ensure that volunteers receive training from local authorities, an example is a local authority epilepsy team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Volunteers greatly enjoy supporting children, and they describe their role as extremely rewarding. They feel valued and they praise the high level of support. They receive a comprehensive induction and an orientation day, which includes team building. During the camp they enjoy a staff appreciation evening, and they also highlight the gifts they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers know their strengths, and they use the quality assurance system to further improve children’s holidays. During camp a series of daily meetings are held. Leaders and managers reflect on each child each day, discussing how they can further enhance children’s experiences. They also reflect on their impact and compile a report which purposefully details the difference they are making in children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an outstanding communication system, which provides regular videos and photos of children to their respective parents. The organisation, and all those involved, pride themselves on being a family and community. There is a volunteer instant messaging group, which enables leaders and managers to make requests for Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Kef Kids Ltd 5 help with the camp preparations. This group also helps with requests families may have.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers recognise that siblings and parents also need support. An excellent development has been having their first residential family weekend. The organisation fundraised for 36 families to have a holiday together in a hotel. A parent said, ‘I, personally, feel less alone after this weekend.’ They praised the opportunity to spend time with families who shared similar challenges. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Kef Kids Ltd 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013 and the national minimum standards. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Kef Kids Ltd 7

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider address: Arbiter House, Wilberforce Road, West Hendon, London NW9 6AX Responsible individual: Mrs Shelley Groszman Registered manager: Mrs Adina Morris

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Inspectors

Sharon Payne, Social Care Inspector Sandra Jacobs-Walls, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Kef Kids Ltd 8 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under

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Inspectors

the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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