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 7 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 good

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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: 29 July 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: The Newman Holiday Trust 2

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Summary

Children enjoy exceptionally positive holiday experiences and benefit from inclusive, ambitious activities that build their confidence, independence and friendships. Dedicated helpers provide highly individualised support, enabling children to feel safe, valued and fully involved.

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Summary

Children's health, welfare and safety are promoted through effective care planning, strong safeguarding arrangements, high staffing levels and excellent support from nursing staff. Leaders provide strong, child-centred leadership and work closely with families to ensure that children's needs are understood and met.

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Summary

However, some improvements are needed in leadership and management. Safer recruitment practices are not consistently robust, risk assessments for some activities are not always considered and a significant event was not notified to the regulator in a timely manner. Despite these shortfalls, children receive a high standard of care and enjoy meaningful, enriching experiences. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 3

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outstanding

Children have an amazing time on their holiday and are supported by exceptional helpers who volunteer their time, skills and experience to provide children with new experiences and opportunities that they may not otherwise access. One parent said, 'We were sobbing with happiness that [name of child] has all these experiences.'

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outstanding

Activities are thoughtfully planned, balancing structure with flexibility to meet children's individual needs and preferences. Leaders provide inclusive and ambitious opportunities that help children to build confidence, develop independence and form meaningful friendships. Parents report seeing their children acquire new skills and grow in confidence through the support of helpers. The positive impact of the holiday extends beyond the week itself, with children continuing to benefit from the experiences and achievements they gain.

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outstanding

Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities, including bouncy castles and swimming, alongside creative opportunities, such as drama and music sessions. Leaders and helpers are committed to ensuring that children with complex needs can fully participate, focusing on solutions rather than barriers and making thoughtful adaptations to meet children's individual needs.

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outstanding

Children are cared for by helpers who are dedicated to ensuring that the children have wonderful and enriching experiences. Helpers often bring their own talents and skills, such as playing instruments, which provide added magic to the holiday. Children quickly form trusted relationships with their individual helper, meaning they quickly feel safe and settled away from their home.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged and supported to express their wishes and feelings through their preferred method of communication. Helpers ensure that children are listened to and valued, providing meaningful choices about how they spend their time and supporting them to make decisions that reflect their individual interests and preferences.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged to keep a diary of their holiday experience. This provides a creative way of capturing memories, reflecting on their achievements and experiences and enabling them to look back on their time with enjoyment. It also offers a meaningful opportunity for children to share their experiences with their families and talk about the activities they have enjoyed.

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outstanding

The holiday venue provides a safe and secure environment. Leaders and managers ensure that the accommodation and facilities are suitable for children's individual Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 4 needs and are regularly cleaned and maintained to reduce risks. This helps to create a comfortable setting where children can enjoy their holiday safely and confidently. Visitors are monitored and required to sign in. The site is secure and children are supervised closely by their helpers.

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outstanding

Sleeping arrangements are well planned and appropriate to meet children's needs. Staffing levels are high, and additional helpers are readily available when children require extra support. This also helps to reduce the risk of children going missing and ensuring that they are supervised. Staff consistently demonstrate respectful practice when supporting children with personal care, ensuring that dignity, privacy and individual preferences are maintained.

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outstanding

Children's health needs are exceptionally well managed. Qualified nurses work closely with helpers and families to ensure that medications, dietary requirements, allergies and medical conditions are understood and safely managed. Robust systems are in place for the storage, administration and monitoring of medication. Helpers described feeling well supported by nursing staff, particularly when caring for children with complex medical needs.

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outstanding

Helpers receive robust safeguarding training covering whistleblowing, reporting concerns, personal care, behaviour support, communication and first aid. Helpers spoken to were confident about safeguarding procedures and could clearly explain what actions they would take if they had concerns about a child's welfare or the practice of another adult.

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outstanding

Leaders and managers use their knowledge of children's individual needs, interests, and personalities to ensure that they are paired with helpers who have the skills, experience and understanding required to support them effectively. For example, one child who struggled with anxiety about communicating was supported by a speech and language therapist who was able to encourage the child to communicate in different ways. This helps children to feel settled and understood and allows them to develop relationships with the helpers.

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outstanding

The culture of the holiday is one of shared responsibility for children's safety. Helpers are never left unsupported. There is effective oversight from leaders and nurses. Leaders and helpers work together seamlessly to ensure that children receive consistent care. One parent said, 'They treat my child as their own.'

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Strong and committed leadership ensures that the holiday is well organised, reflective and focused on improving children's experiences. Leaders demonstrate excellent knowledge of individual children's needs and respond creatively to emerging needs and challenges. One parent said, 'They have gone above and beyond.' Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 5 Leaders and managers are committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, disability or health needs, have equal opportunities to participate in the holiday and benefit fully from the experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Volunteers work hard throughout the year to recruit sufficient helpers to support the holiday scheme successfully. While safer recruitment processes are in place, there are missed opportunities to ensure that all the necessary checks and information are obtained about helpers prior to the holiday. Additionally, relevant volunteers have not received safer recruitment training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective quality assurance processes, feedback systems and positive partnership working with families contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the holiday. Leaders regularly review learning from previous holidays and implement changes to strengthen practice, demonstrating a commitment to continuous evaluation and improvement. However, a significant event was not notified to the regulator in a timely manner. This impacts the regulator's oversight of children's safety and wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers gather detailed information about the children and arrange additional visits as needed. This thorough assessment and planning process enables leaders and helpers to develop a good understanding of each child's needs, preferences and strengths, ensuring that children receive individualised care and support throughout their holiday. However, leaders do not consistently consider the risks to the children and others when planning activities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders provide strong and inspirational leadership. They are present and highly ambitious for children to access opportunities that broaden their experiences and enrich their lives. Their unwavering focus is on ensuring that every child has the best possible holiday experience. This child-centred ethos is embedded throughout the organisation and reflected in all aspects of the holiday provision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers create a warm, supportive environment where children receive an exceptionally high standard of care. Helpers are enthusiastic, motivated and dedicated to supporting children to enjoy and make the most of their holiday. They work effectively together, creating a positive team culture and strong sense of community. Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 6

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Recommendations

◼ The registered person should ensure that, where appropriate, volunteers have attended safer recruitment training. (Residential holiday schemes for disabled children: national minimum standard 9.2)

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Recommendations

◼ The registered person should ensure that all volunteers are interviewed and their references checked to assure themselves of volunteers' suitability to work with children. (Residential holiday schemes for disabled children: national minimum standard 9.1)

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Recommendations

◼ The registered provider should ensure that activities arranged for children are appropriate and consider known risks to ensure that the child has the best experience. (Residential holiday schemes for disabled children: national minimum standard 5.1)

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Recommendations

◼ The registered person should ensure that any significant events are submitted to Ofsted in a timely manner so that the regulator has an oversight of children's safety and welfare. (Residential holiday schemes for disabled children: national minimum standard 3.4) Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 7

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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 8

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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: Mr Anand Chitnis Registered manager: Ms Judith Wardlaw

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Inspectors

Kerri Lynch, Social Care Inspector Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for residential holiday scheme for disabled children: The Newman Holiday Trust 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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