The Newman Holiday Trust

Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 1 The Newman Holiday Trust The Newman Trust For The Handicapped Lowbrook Barn, Lancaster Road, Slyne, Lancaster LA2 6AL Inspection 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

Date of previous inspection: 20 August 2024

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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 enjoy enriching and memorable experiences during their holidays. Each holiday is designed with a strong emphasis on choice and inclusivity, ensuring that every child feels valued and empowered.

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outstanding

Thorough planning takes place before each child’s holiday begins, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of their individual needs. Multiple home visits take place to meet children and their families, allowing organisers to gather essential information for detailed care and risk management plans. This process often involves collaboration with schools and other relevant services.

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outstanding

Children are thoughtfully matched with peers, helping friendships blossom from the outset. To support emotional comfort, children are encouraged to bring familiar items from home. They are cared for by dedicated helpers, many of whom have volunteered for several years. New volunteers are paired with experienced team members, building their confidence and enabling them to support children with complex needs effectively.

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outstanding

The relationships between children and helpers are consistently warm, attentive and nurturing, creating a safe and supportive environment where every child can thrive. Throughout the holiday, children receive exceptional, high-quality care from enthusiastic helpers who are passionate about providing a rich variety of experiences. These opportunities often include activities that children may not otherwise have access to, making the holiday truly special. Each day is thoughtfully structured with a detailed timetable filled with fun and creative experiences. A child enthusiastically said, ‘I’d give the holiday a 9.5, but it’ll be 10 out of 10 after I’ve been to the cinema later.’

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outstanding

Throughout the holiday, children are supported in developing greater independence. They enjoy numerous opportunities for social interaction and are encouraged to build confidence in managing their personal hygiene. In one instance, a child was provided with a higher staffing ratio than required, allowing him to spend extended time out of his wheelchair. This experience actively supported improvements in his mobility.

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outstanding

The holiday concludes with a joyful and affirming final day, highlighted by a talent show that celebrates each child’s achievements. Children are invited to complete their camp diaries, and photos and videos are captured and shared, creating lasting memories. These treasured mementos offer children and their families a meaningful way to reflect on the experiences and successes of the week. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 3

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outstanding

The physical environment is safe. Sleeping arrangements are appropriate, with night staff available to ensure that children are safe. Staffing levels are high with additional volunteers readily available if children require additional support. This is also a protective factor to ensure that children do not go missing. Helpers understand the children’s vulnerabilities and know what action to take to keep them safe from harm.

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outstanding

Each child has a comprehensive risk management plan that outlines known and anticipated risks, ensuring volunteers are well informed and prepared. To maintain a high standard of safety, an ‘Evening Thoughts’ session is held daily, where helpers and organisers come together to review each child’s well-being and discuss any emerging concerns. This consistent and collaborative approach to information- sharing allows the team to respond proactively, updating plans as needed to ensure that every child remains safe and well supported throughout the holiday.

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outstanding

The arrangements for medication are safe and effective. All medications are administered by qualified registered nurses. When a medication error has occurred, the registered manager completed a lessons learned exercise, taking prompt action to review the policy and to consider what improvements could be made to practice.

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outstanding

Volunteer helpers are recruited following safer recruitment practices, including all necessary checks. This means children are cared for by individuals who are safe and suitable. The holiday scheme has received no complaints.

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outstanding

Volunteers prioritise health and safety matters on the holiday. At the start of the holiday, each child takes part in a fire evacuation. Additionally, the children experience visits from the fire and police emergency services to help them understand the dangers of fire and the importance of staying safe.

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outstanding

Volunteers have a gentle and calm approach towards behaviour management when children become upset or frustrated. They use a variety of de-escalation techniques, such as change of face or spending time in quiet areas, which helps children reduce their anxiety and divert their attention positively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This holiday scheme is truly exceptional, led by a committed and passionate manager. It is deeply valued by children, parents and volunteers alike. The leadership team and organisers demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous improvement, actively seeking innovative approaches and sharing good practice to enhance the experience year after year.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A key strength of the provision lies in the organisers themselves, who ensure the holiday is well structured while maintaining the flexibility needed to respond to Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 4 individual circumstances. This creates a balanced, responsive and enriching environment for all involved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Volunteers feel valued and listened to. One volunteer said, ‘Everything is just so well organised and fun, this is why I just keep coming back year after year.’ There is excellent support for new volunteers in providing the buddy system, and the separate meeting sessions held at the start of the holiday ensure that all volunteers are fully supported and knowledgeable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Strong, effective relationships are built with families to ensure that all relevant information is shared through thorough care planning and risk management. Feedback from parents following the holiday has been overwhelmingly positive. They praised the outstanding communication and described the volunteers as entirely professional. Many highlighted how each experience is thoughtfully tailored to their child’s individual needs, with volunteers consistently going above and beyond to create exceptional memories. One parent said, ‘It is just so full of fun, happiness and freedom.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Volunteers receive specialised training aligned with the unique needs and complexities of the children, including the use of communication aids and the management of conditions such as epilepsy and diabetes. This training is delivered by qualified nurses and doctors, ensuring that children receive the highest standard of care and that their health needs are met by knowledgeable and skilled volunteers. 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 Trust For The Handicapped

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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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Inspectors

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Kerri Lynch, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 7 and inspects 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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