The Newman Holiday Trust

Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 1 The Newman Holiday Trust The Newman Holiday Trust Lowbrook Barn, Lancaster Road, Slyne, Lancaster LA2 6AL Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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disabled children

The Newman Holiday Trust is a registered charity that provides summer holidays for disabled children. The trust provides seven one-week holidays a year at various venues in England and Scotland. It aims to provide a range of activities and experiences for disabled children who may not otherwise have a holiday.

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disabled children

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2014.

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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 outstanding

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 2

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outstanding

Children have great fun on their holiday. They enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences in line with the organisation’s ethos and values. The inspector observed children enjoying their swimming activity. They were happy and relaxed. This year’s theme is ‘Australia’. The children have enjoyed craft activities incorporating the beach and were excited about the forest school activities later in the day. Children’s individual interests are promoted. These include film nights, talent shows and arts and crafts. One child said they enjoy the dancing.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers work hard before the holidays to gather all valuable information to help get to know the children. The planning is meticulous. They ensure that there are detailed risk management plans. Behaviour and care plans are drawn up with the expert knowledge from parents and carers. The holiday organisers consult with education and health professionals to provide as much information as possible. As a result, children’s care is highly personalised and tailored to meet their individual needs.

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outstanding

The relationships between the children and the helpers are excellent. They do everything possible to help children feel at ease and to have a lovely time. They treat children with dignity and respect. Helpers say they love helping the children to enjoy their holiday. One helper said, ‘This is my first time as a helper and I just love it, I have already enrolled for the next one.’ Helpers show genuine warmth and care to each child. This is a key strength.

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outstanding

Parents are confident that their child will be safe and will have a fantastic time in the knowledge that they will be well looked after. Feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive. One parent said, ‘The helpers have been exceptional in the way they have provided information.’ Another said, ‘This opportunity gives us some very much-needed time together without having to be carers.’

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outstanding

The organisers have developed excellent partnership links with the staff at the venue. Before this year’s holiday, they spoke with the catering team to ensure that all dietary requirements were met. This includes providing a wide range of foods that account for children’s allergies, particular food textures and specific preferences. As a result, children were observed during lunchtime choosing their own meals and enjoying a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

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outstanding

Diverse methods of communicating with children during the holidays are in place. Children are supported by helpers who use a variety of ways to enable children to make choices and have their voices heard. These are all bespoke to the children’s preferred method of communication, such as photos, Makaton and the Picture Exchange Communication System. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 3 Children’s experiences and achievements are recorded and celebrated. They reflect on their experiences and tell everyone about the things that they have enjoyed doing. One child celebrated her birthday while on the camp. Everyone was involved in singing to celebrate this occasion. The volunteers capture lots of memories on camera to share with the children and their families.

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outstanding

Robust safeguarding procedures are in place to ensure that all children are kept safe. Helpers receive exceptional training in safeguarding and whistle-blowing procedures before the holidays commence. Additionally, all the volunteers have access to a designated safeguarding lead. They know how to report any concerns and follow the organisation’s policies and procedures.

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outstanding

Children receive outstanding help and support to manage their emotions. Helpers are highly skilled in understanding the children’s needs and are creative in strategies they use when children become unsettled. This was observed during the inspection with the use of enthusiasm, distraction and cuddly toys to support children’s transitions from one activity to the next.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers have ensured that the venue and all activities are suitably assessed for risk before the holiday starts. Fire procedures are effective, and children take part in a fire drill on their arrival to the camp. This ensures that there is constant monitoring of children’s well-being and safety.

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outstanding

Careful recruitment and selection of the volunteers takes place. Leaders and managers ensure that appropriate and robust checks are carried out. This ensures that no unsuitable adults are supporting children.

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outstanding

The storage and administration of medication are safe and effective. There are qualified nurses on site who ensure that all children’s health needs are met. Additionally, the nurses provide the helpers with bespoke training around children’s epilepsy and diabetes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is suitably experienced. She ensures that the camps are managed effectively. Managers and organisers are extremely ambitious for every child to have opportunities which widen their experiences. Their priority is to make sure that every child has the best possible time. This ethos is embedded throughout the organisation and the holidays.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children benefit from one-to-one support throughout the holiday. Helpers know the children extremely well. The holiday organisers are efficient and well organised. This helps the holiday to run smoothly. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 4 The helpers receive good-quality training that is tailored to the role and the personal needs of the children they are supporting. Additional training is sought where appropriate to provide helpers with further knowledge around behaviour support and communication.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers promote diversity and inclusivity. They ensure that all children, regardless of their backgrounds, disabilities and health needs, have every opportunity to take part in the holiday and get the most out of the experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team strives for continuous improvements and has an excellent understanding of its strengths and areas of development. The team monitors the quality of care and experiences delivered on the camps and constantly looks at ways to generate new ideas. Feedback is sought from the families, the children and the helpers at the end of each holiday to assess the impact of each camp.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Each evening, the organisers lead ‘evening thoughts’ meetings. These are an excellent way of reflecting and capturing the positive and challenging moments that day. They provide a forum where plans are made for the following day and additional opportunities to share important information. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 5

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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: The Newman Holiday Trust 6

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider: The Newman Holiday Trust

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider address: Lowbrook Barn, Lancaster Road, Slyne, Lancaster LA2 6AL Responsible individual: Anand Chitnis Registered manager: Judith Wardlaw

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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