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 up to 25 children aged 10 to 18 who may have learning and/or physical disabilities and/or sensory needs. Twenty-five children were present during the inspection.

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disabled children

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 12 August 2019.

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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: St John’s School Community Holiday 2

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outstanding

This year, the holiday scheme welcomed 25 children, many of whom were returning participants who spoke excitedly about their experiences. Children were observed being sensitively supported by staff and volunteers, who provide a wonderful opportunity for children to enjoy themselves.

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outstanding

Senior leaders take active steps to gather detailed information about each child’s health and well-being before the holiday. This allows for well-informed, personalised care planning. Staff respond to individual needs with care and respect, supported by a trained medical team that ensures children’s health needs are met appropriately. However, care plans are not on record for some looked-after children. This has not impacted on the quality of care provided.

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outstanding

Children take part in a wide variety of wonderful and engaging activities, such as swimming, treasure hunts, farm and beach visits, and sensory experiences. These opportunities are thoughtfully planned to promote fun, while also supporting the development of independence, confidence and positive relationships.

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outstanding

Children receive information in their preferred communication formats, including daily diaries which they take home to show their families and carers, visual timetables to explain what activities they can choose and guidance on what to do if they feel worried. Accessible materials, such as easy-read documents and symbol- supported information, are prominently displayed throughout the environment, promoting understanding and inclusion.

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outstanding

Comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken prior to the holiday to ensure the safety and well-being of children, staff and volunteers. Where individual children require support with manual handling or specialist equipment, tailored risk management plans are developed, incorporating parental or carer consent and ensuring that staff and volunteers receive appropriate specialist training. This demonstrates a proactive and robust approach to safeguarding.

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outstanding

The accommodation and premises used for the holiday are appropriately assessed and maintained to uphold high standards of health, safety and well-being. Children are aware of how to access support, with an on-call systems in place to respond promptly to any emergencies or additional needs.

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outstanding

Staff and volunteers receive clear guidance and ongoing support in managing children’s behavioural and sensory needs. The senior team systematically reviews any incidents to identify patterns or emerging trends, and subsequently updates risk Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 3 management strategies to ensure children continue to be supported safely and effectively.

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outstanding

The holiday scheme has established rigorous, well-defined recruitment processes for both staff and volunteers, ensuring that only individuals assessed as suitable are engaged in work with children. These procedures underscore a firm commitment to safeguarding practices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Senior leaders, staff and volunteers demonstrate a deep sense of passion and pride in their work supporting children and their families. Their ethos, centred on enabling children to have fun, embrace challenges and explore new experiences, is clearly reflected in the range of activities offered and in the positive feedback from children about their experiences during the holiday.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Senior leaders demonstrate a reflective and forward-thinking approach to planning. They build on learning from previous holidays to enhance the quality of children’s experiences. Policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated, providing clear guidance to staff and volunteers and ensuring consistent, safe practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff and volunteers enjoy seeing the progress and fun experiences for the children. Many are returning volunteers who come back year after year to support the holiday scheme. They are consistently positive about the experience that it brings for them. One said: ‘The holiday is the highlight of my summer.’ For others, the value they get from the experience has influenced their career pathways.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from parents and carers has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the impact the holiday experience has had on both children and their families. One parent said: ‘The holiday surpassed our expectations, and my daughter had an amazing week.’ Others described the provision as a ‘complete lifeline’, highlighting how essential it is for them to have the opportunity to rest and recharge, knowing their children are safe, happy and thriving. The consistent praise compliments the exceptional quality of care, the thoughtful planning and the emotional support provided. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Residential Holiday Schemes for Disabled Children (England) Regulations 2013 and the national minimum standards. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain, in respect of each child who is accommodated by the scheme, a record in writing which—

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Requirement Due date

includes the documents, information and records specified in Schedule 3 in relation to that child. (Regulation 24 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure they have a copy of any plan for the care of the child prepared by the placing authority. 31 October 2025

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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 5

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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: Leah Hilt 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

Sara Stoker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: St John’s School Community Holiday 6 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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