Oundle School Mencap Holidays

Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Oundle Mencap Holidays 1 Oundle Mencap Holidays Oundle Mencap Holidays Limited 05393382 58 Glapthorn Road, Oundle PE8 4PT Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

disabled children

This holiday scheme caters for up to 40 children with learning and physical disabilities.

p.1

disabled children

The scheme is led by a registered manager.

p.1

Overall experience and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

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.

p.1

outstanding

Date of previous inspection: 6 August 2024

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Oundle Mencap Holidays 2

p.1

outstanding

Children love being on this holiday. Parents say how much their child enjoys going. The children have a week that is full of fun. One child said, ‘I love it, I get to see my friends.’ Another said, ‘I’m having fun. The best bit is the swimming.’

p.2

outstanding

Relationships between children and helpers are excellent. A very large number of volunteers ensure that children enjoy a fantastic holiday. Helpers go above and beyond to support children. They sing and dance with children. There are lots of smiles, and lasting memories are made.

p.2

outstanding

Each child's individual needs are well known and met. Children’s ‘Kids Sheets’ are clear and detailed. They show the support children need with daily living, their health and personal care. They also record children’s likes and dislikes. Parents are central to the writing of these plans. Work takes place across the year to plan specific care for each child.

p.2

outstanding

The whole holiday is arranged to value each child as an individual. Children’s wishes and feelings are sought and respected. Helpers know how to communicate with children and gather their views. Helpers learn basic Makaton and use a range of communication aids. Verbal and non-speaking children are helped to make choices. This ensures that all children do the things they want, to have the most fun.

p.2

outstanding

Children are supported to remain healthy throughout the week. Their health needs are managed extremely well. This includes more complex health needs. Medication is administered and stored safely. Children have lots of opportunities to exercise and wear the volunteers out. Children love time in the swimming pool. A popular fitness session is led by a previous holidaymaker.

p.2

outstanding

Children enjoy a large range of activities throughout the week. These take place at the holiday site and on trips out, including going to parks and the seaside. This year’s theme is ‘medieval’. Activities include archery, tomahawk throwing, a grand tournament and a ‘knight’s quest’.

p.2

outstanding

Excellent safeguarding arrangements are in place. There are clear policies and procedures. Volunteers and children are helped to know who the safeguarding leads are. Posters around the holiday site have been designed using symbols and photos. This ensures that children know the arrangements and who they can go to. All volunteers receive safeguarding training. This includes a refresher on the morning of arrival day. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Oundle Mencap Holidays 3 A behaviour support plan is created for a child when required. Known behaviours from previous years are assessed. Also, behaviours are identified with families or schools during preparation for the holiday. This information is then reviewed after the holiday and can inform a plan for a child returning the following year.

p.2

outstanding

Incidents of challenging or unwanted behaviours are managed extremely well, helped by excellent knowledge of how children react to situations. Physical intervention is only used if necessary. This is to keep the child or others safe. The manager is trained to deliver safe intervention training. Members of the leadership team are trained in safe handling techniques.

p.3

outstanding

The manager and helpers understand risks to children. There are clear risk assessments for all activities, including those on the main holiday site and those for trips off site. All sites are visited and assessed prior to the holiday. This ensures that risks are identified and plans are in place to reduce risks.

p.3

outstanding

Volunteers know the children extremely well. This includes experienced members of the leadership team and first-time helpers. This is owing to the detailed level of planning that takes place for months before the holiday. There is a very high ratio of volunteers to children. This means that all children are supported one-to-one. There is then a very large number of additional volunteers. Therefore, extra experienced helpers are always available to help and protect children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager feels exceptionally well supported by the responsible individual and the wider management team. She said, ‘They are excellent and amazingly supportive, with everyone having the holiday front and centre in our hearts.’ The members of the management team are very experienced in working with children with additional needs. They bring this experience and skills to the holiday. The focus is always on the children and how they can experience a great holiday.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Volunteers are prepared extremely well for the holiday. Training is thorough. Clear and well-presented handbooks give volunteers a comprehensive introduction and guide. Training events in person and online take place across the year. All volunteers are helped to understand the safeguarding of vulnerable children, and also the different ways that children communicate.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Family members speak very highly of the holiday. They also specifically praise the management of the scheme. They say that everyone goes above and beyond to give their children a wonderful experience. They particularly value the close communication of those on the leadership team. One parent said, ‘The leaders’ communication is exemplary.’

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent oversight of the holiday. She and the responsible individual are fully involved all week. A range of daily meetings ensure that all information is passed on to the manager and her team. The management team meets daily to reflect on the day and plan for the following day. There is also Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Oundle Mencap Holidays 4 constant communication through radios. This gives everyone the support they need when they need it.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and the responsible individual are forward thinking. They are creative and adapt processes to improve efficiency. They look for new ways to support children and helpers on the holiday. For example, an additional sensory room has been created. Also, the medication recording has moved to an electronic system. There is also a holiday improvement plan with clear actions.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The massive effort of the manager and leadership team is not just during the week of the holiday. It is an all-year-round effort. The holiday is exceptionally well planned and run. It is incredibly well appreciated by children and families alike. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Oundle Mencap Holidays 5

p.4

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: Oundle Mencap Holidays 6

p.5

Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider: Oundle Mencap Holidays Limited 05393382

p.6

Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider address: 58 Glapthorn Road, Oundle PE8 4PT Responsible individual: Olivia Kirkbride Registered manager: Claire Huntington

p.6

Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Oundle Mencap Holidays 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.

p.6

Inspector

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 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 .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7