Developing holiday care for children with complex needs as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Ysgol Bryn Derw is a Local Education Authority maintained, special school that educates children and young people with autism and associated learning difficulties, between the ages of 4-19 years in Newport. The school has been a great support to the children and young people since opening in September 2017 and they have had their first ESTYN inspection that had ‘Excellent’ outcomes.
In 2019, communications began between the school and Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs regarding the development of childcare onsite. Whilst it took some time to establish what management structure would be most suitable, the Childcare Business Development Officer from Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs worked closely with the school and governors to support a way forward.
Consultation with parents/carers at the school identified a need for quality Holiday Childcare. Whilst there are a number of Holiday Clubs across the county that are inclusive and aim to be accessible for all children, the children that attend this school have complex needs and this requires additional and specialist support, with preference from parents/carers being that this care was provided by familiar adults, in familiar surroundings.
Later in the 2019/20 financial year, a committee was established, including members of the Board of Governors to support collaboration with the school. The Childcare Business Development Officer has worked closely with this committee, delivering tailored business skills sessions throughout the Pandemic, including finding the funds sessions to source and apply for suitable funding to support sustainability, monitoring, record keeping, policy and procedure development, marketing, business planning and staff recruitment. These sessions have been delivered at times that have suited the committee, regularly outside of the typical 9-5pm day, demonstrating the flexibility offered and how Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs is passionate about meeting the needs of the sector we support.
During the midst of the Pandemic in August 2020, the Club was supported to register as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation to ensure the liability of committee members was protected. Following significant support in policy development, understanding roles and responsibilities and the National Minimum Standards from the Childcare Business Development Officer, ensuring that the policies and procedures reflected the additional needs of the children using the service, an application to register the service with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) was submitted.
Oak Hill Holiday Club ran a pilot (unregistered) during October 2020, which was incredibly well received by children and parents/carers, with 100% reporting that they would book their child in again, and 100% reporting that their child was well supported. CIW registration was achieved in Spring 2021, meaning that up to 16 children with complex needs in Newport per session are now able to access quality, registered childcare, with affordable fees for parents/carers who are now able to access financial support towards childcare costs.
The Committee is currently being supported by the Childcare Business Development Officer to develop a fundraising strategy to plan the sustainability of the provision. This will ensure the additional cost incurred through higher staff ratios and specialised resources are not impacting on the parent’s fees for childcare.