Over the Wall

Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Over The Wall Camp 1 Over The Wall Camp Over The Wall Camp The Settlement, Ockbrook, Derby DE72 3RJ Inspection under the social care common inspection framework

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disabled children

This residential holiday scheme is operated by a charity. Residential holiday scheme camps are provided for children with serious health challenges and their brothers and sisters. This holiday scheme, which is a camp, was attended by 41 children in total. There was a separate camp for siblings this year.

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disabled children

The inspector met with several children throughout the inspection to gain their views.

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disabled children

The registered manager position has been vacant since 16 March 2026. A manager is in position and an application to register is in progress.

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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: 4 August 2025

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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: Over The Wall Camp 2

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Summary of findings

This is an excellent holiday scheme for children with serious health challenges and disabilities. There is a clear aim to create an environment that is safe and compassionate and focussed on providing children with an excellent holiday. This is achieved through relationships, between the children and adults, which are strengths-based and fully inclusive for the children. The organisation that operates this holiday scheme has strong values that are exceptionally well met. Children are supported to feel an authentic sense of belonging. They are helped to grow through new experiences that may not have been previously possible, owing to their serious health challenges. The camp is great fun for children and at the same time a great support for families. The staff and volunteers are well supported and trained by an experienced leadership team. This ensures that children are kept safe while enjoying their holiday.

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outstanding

The camp is held at a permanent new site. Significant investment has enabled the site to be fully developed. The aim is to create a world class venue that meets the needs of the campers in every way possible. There are a site manager and exciting plans to develop the buildings and extensive grounds. The accommodation for children and other areas of the site has been refurbished. This makes the site safe and welcoming.

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outstanding

Children enjoy spending time with staff and volunteers, and there is a strong focus on ensuring their experiences are fun and meaningful. A clear ‘children first’ ethos underpins the camp's approach, which is especially important given the impact that children's health needs can have on their everyday lives. Staff and volunteers know each child well and meet their individual needs to a high standard. One family mem- ber described a conversation that took place on their child's arrival at camp. Their child asked, ‘Are there any other unique people like me here?’ A volunteer replied, ‘We’re all unique here.’ This response reflects the camp’s inclusive culture, where every child is valued and celebrated as an individual.

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outstanding

Each child has an individual plan for their care while they are at the camp. This is known as the ‘camper profile’. This is informed by a ‘getting to know the camper’ form, completed by children’s family members. This ensures that the carers know the children’s needs and how to care for them extremely well. This helps children to relax and enjoy having fun with other children that become their friends. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Over The Wall Camp 3 Staff meet the health needs of the children exceptionally well. There is a dedicated team of clinical volunteers who are led by a head of nursing. They are all registered healthcare professionals. As a result, children remain healthy while they enjoy the camp. The children’s medication is stored, administered and recorded safely. Children’s medical needs are met whilst focusing on the child having fun.

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outstanding

There is a large range of activities for children to enjoy. This includes gameshows, archery, climbing and performing arts. The children are constantly smiling, laughing and having fun. There is lots of happiness, singing and dancing. Areas are also available for children to enjoy quiet time. This includes the beautiful outdoor areas and a newly developed wellbeing room.

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outstanding

Families recognise the positive impact the camp has on their children. They speak of the excitement of the children leading up to the camp. They speak extremely positively about how well their children are looked after, while at the camp. Friendships are made with other children and the camp volunteers and staff. One family member said, ‘The holiday, provided by this scheme, did so much for my daughter in her week away that she returned more like the child she was before her illness. I’ll be forever thankful.’

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outstanding

Children’s behavioural needs are identified prior to the camp starting. Also, their likes and dislikes any known behaviours. This helps volunteers to know how to respond to the child they are supporting in a way that is individual to the child. Physical intervention is extremely rare and only used as a very last resort to keep a child safe. Guidelines and procedures on behaviour management are clearly written. They include how to respond proactively to avoid incidents. Also, how to react to ensure incidents do not escalate. There is a creative, ‘camper behaviour management guide’. This gives tips for preventing and responding to known common behaviours.

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outstanding

Children do not go missing from the camp. However, there are clear procedures in place should this happen. There are drills with staff and volunteers prior to camp to help them understand what to do if a child is missing. There is an emergency response code, alerting the senior team that a child is missing.

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outstanding

A detailed response pack gives clear guidance of how to respond to any critical incidents. It stresses the priority, ensuring the safety of children, volunteers and staff. It includes radio codes to enable senior leaders to be notified of the type and level of incident. There are scenarios that give quick advice of how to respond to a critical incident. The aim is clear from the start to, ‘Protect life, children first.’

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outstanding

Staff and volunteers understand safeguarding children. There is a detailed safeguarding children policy. Volunteers receive training in safeguarding policies and procedures. This is ahead of any interaction with campers. This includes recognising the key signs and indicators of common types of abuse. Also, how to report a Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Over The Wall Camp 4 concern. There is a nominated safeguarding trustee on the organisations board. There are child-friendly safeguarding posters around the site. These give details and photographs of who children can talk to if they have any concerns.

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outstanding

There are comprehensive risk assessments for the site and activities. This ensures that risks are known and actions in place to minimise risks to children.

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outstanding

The manager and clinical lead have oversight of all incidents. Meetings take place daily to discuss these with other camp heads and team leaders. There are also clinical team meetings in the morning and evening. There is a meeting first thing each morning, providing a focus for the day. This is attended by all the staff for the camp.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has ensured that the requirement and recommendation from the last inspection have been completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A dedicated leadership team support the manager. This includes the clinical lead, chief operating officer and the responsible individual. There are also several assistant camp directors and senior co-ordinators. This helps the manager to feel that support is always available during camps and across the year.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Volunteers feel very well supported by the manager and leadership team. They say they love helping children to enjoy the camp. Many have returned year on year and have helped on lots of camps. Volunteers are supported by a team leader. They meet each day during the camp. Staff notice if volunteers are struggling with children or tiredness. They will react to offer support to the volunteer. This includes taking some time out if required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensures that safe recruitment practice is used for all adults involved with the camp. This is for new and returning volunteers and permanent staff. A senior volunteer co-ordinator helps to ensure that all documents are checked and recorded before the camp.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Volunteers and staff receive comprehensive training prior to the camp. This is online with links to videos and documents. There is also in-person training the whole day before and the morning of campers’ arrival day. It includes important topics such as safeguarding, behaviour management and the ethos and values of the provider.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Several daily meetings take place throughout the camp. This ensures that the manager and other senior team members are kept informed of everything that is happening across the camp.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Communication from the leadership team is excellent. They are available throughout the camp at any time via radios. They have also reached out to parents throughout the planning of the holiday to ensure the needs of the children are known and can be met. One family member said, ‘We have had amazing communication prior to Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Over The Wall Camp 5 camp. The arrival and sign-in was straight forward and very welcoming.’ Another said, ‘They are completely transparent as to whether they can meet his needs. Therefore, I trust them and they are really accommodating. They really seem to get him.’ Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Over The Wall Camp 6

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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: Over The Wall Camp 7

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Registered provider address: The Settlement, Ockbrook, Derby DE72 3RJ Responsible individual: Mr Kevin Mathieson Registered manager: Position vacant

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Residential holiday scheme for disabled children details

Email address: kevin.mathieson@otw.org.uk

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: Over The Wall Camp 8 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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