St John’s School Community Holiday

Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 1 St John’s School Community Holiday The Saint John’s School Foundation Epsom Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8SP Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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disabled children

This residential scheme provides a residential activity holiday for children who may have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities and/or sensory needs. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 12 August 2019.

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Overall experiences 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 outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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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: 22 August 2019

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 2

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outstanding

Children have fun and develop new skills during the holiday. They are offered a highly enjoyable range of activities which help them gain the confidence to try challenging things. They make new friends and catch up with friends from previous holidays.

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outstanding

The meticulous planning informs in-depth care plans. These plans are updated daily throughout the holiday in response to new information and as staff get to know the children better. This enables staff and volunteers to provide exceptional individualised support for children to participate in exciting and stimulating activities, such as using climbing walls, activities on the beach and going horse riding.

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outstanding

The children receive consistent and insightful help and support from well-trained and thoroughly briefed staff and volunteers. The reflection sessions at the end of the day include a review of planning for the next day to capture any learning and feedback. This allows for responsive and proactive amendments to planning and contributes to the smooth running of the scheme. Children are supported by different volunteers during the day, and the seamless move from one volunteer to another is managed in a positive, child-focused way.

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outstanding

The volunteers’ enjoyment and high-level care of the children was observed throughout the day. They were fully focused on, and responded to, the children’s needs, from initiating craft activities to swimming in the sea or building sandcastles. The children learn new skills and make memories which are captured in daily diaries. This enables children to reflect on the fun they had and what they have achieved. It also provides families with a record of the holiday.

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outstanding

All children, including those with complex needs, enjoy a relaxed and comfortable time. The children’s families’ contribution to care planning means that they are reassured about the care of their child. Close liaison with parents helped those children who were struggling to remain on the holiday.

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outstanding

Parents are very positive about the children’s participation. One parent said, ‘This is a wonderful experience for the children.’ Another stated, ‘They had an amazing time doing activities they wouldn’t normally participate in.’

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outstanding

Proactive safeguarding practices ensure that all children, including the most vulnerable, are kept safe. Children and staff know who to go to and are encouraged to report any concerns, however minor. An informative holidaymaker guide advises children of all the steps they can take if they are unhappy or worried. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 3 The leaders devise extremely clear risk assessments and management strategies to inform staff, to address any potential risks. Risk assessments are incorporated into each child’s care plans. A colour-coded risk analysis and guidance inform volunteers of the steps to take if an incident escalates.

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outstanding

The activities are planned to ensure that volunteers are able to build trusting relationships with the children before children try the more adventurous activities. This well-thought-out practice means that children know they can rely on the volunteers.

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outstanding

The staff are vigilant and respond swiftly to any signs of medical emergencies and health issues. Volunteers were observed taking accurate records of a child’s seizure, while preserving the child’s privacy and dignity. This professionalism is promoted by the medical team, which regularly monitors the children’s health needs. Any medication errors are reported immediately and are used to inform practice. Procedures are reviewed to minimise the potential for a reoccurrence.

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outstanding

All the children have personal emergency evacuation plans to ensure that they can be safely evacuated if a fire should occur. In addition, training in fire safety includes a fire drill at the beginning of the holiday. Grab bags with useful equipment and information are easily accessible.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is an experienced and strong leader who ensures the scheme’s aims and objectives, as set out in the statement of purpose, are fulfilled. All the volunteers share his passion and aspiration for the children’s safe enjoyment of the holiday. This creates a positive environment for children to enjoy the wide range of activities and to celebrate their achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The volunteers complete training programmes which reflect the children’s complex needs. Training is refreshed for all staff each year. The registered manager has sought additional training for staff in moving and handling methods, to protect the children from accidental injury.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An informative and detailed helpers’ handbook equips volunteers with all the information they need to offer a safe and fun holiday. Volunteers, especially senior staff, return regularly to offer their support and provide a valued holiday experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The senior staff are trained in the use of physical intervention. This is rarely used, but when it is, only trained volunteers intervene. The records clearly demonstrate methods used to calm the child and the actions taken to prevent harm to the child or others. The registered manager reviews all incidents, however, he does not record his reflections and analysis to inform future practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The holiday is efficiently organised. The venue is suitable for the scheme. The volunteers can focus on the care and support of the children, as catering is provided Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 4 by the school’s provider. The food is of good quality and alternatives are available. Allergies and dietary needs are met. All the volunteers and children eat together to extend the social opportunities for all.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager monitors recruitment checks, which are completed by the school staff. However, he does not see all the suitability checks and therefore does not have the necessary oversight of recruitment. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 5

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Recommendations

◼ The registered person should ensure they have sight of all recruitment and health checks for every member of staff and volunteer working on the holiday. (‘Residential holiday schemes for disabled children: national minimum standards’, 9.1) ◼ The registered manager should ensure each scheme regularly reviews incidents of challenging behaviour and examines trends or issues emerging from this, to enable staff to reflect and learn, to inform future practice. (‘Residential holiday schemes for disabled children: national minimum standards’, 2.17)

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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: St John’s School Community Holiday 6

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider: The Saint John’s School Foundation

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider address: Epsom Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8SP Responsible individual: Anna Budgett Registered manager: Neil Whitmore

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Email address: nwhitmore@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk

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Inspector

Suzy Lemmy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 7 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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