Fears over 'abusive practice' at special Coventry school

[dutchman]

An "inadequate" specialist school run by a charity for the blind is being investigated after serious concerns were raised about safeguarding



The Charity Commission has opened an inquiry into safeguarding at the Pears Centre in Coventry.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), which runs the school, said there has been an allegation of "potentially abusive practice".

It faces going into special measures after an Ofsted report in January.

The Charity Commission's inquiry was opened on 29 March after fears that the school may have "consistently failed to comply with regulations designed to safeguard and protect vulnerable children".

Harvey Grenville, head of investigations and enforcement at the Charity Commission, said: "The incidents and shortcomings at the Pears Centre are deeply concerning.

"The first priority of the trustees of both charities must now be to ensure that the vulnerable young people cared for at the centre are protected from harm.

"The charities have already taken some immediate steps in order to do so."

The RNIB's chief executive, Sally Harvey, resigned after the inquiry was announced.

Another cover-up!

[dutchman]

Blind charity school in Coventry put in special measures

A specialist children's home run by a charity for the blind has been put in special measures.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said Five Pears Court in Coventry was "not safe" and rated it as "inadequate".

The home, run by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) is under a separate inquiry by the Charity Commission after safety concerns were raised by Ofsted.

The charity said was taking "urgent action" to "address shortfalls".

Five Pears Court is one of a group of specialist built bungalows at the Pears Centre, which provides homes and education for young people up to the age of 19.

The latest CQC report said the registered manager and provider did not consistently report and investigate accidents, incidents and safeguarding issues when they arose.

The Charity Commission has already begun its investigation following the Ofsted report in January.

[dutchman]

Blind charity to shut children's home in Coventry

A specialist children's home run by a charity for the blind is to close several months after being put in special measures.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) said it was not the right organisation to run Pears Centre for Specialist Learning in Coventry.

The Care Quality Commission and Ofsted have both criticised the management of the home and on-site school.

The RNIB said it would shut despite staff working hard to improve things.

The site is made up of accommodation and a school for young people up to the age of 19.

In a statement, Eleanor Southwood, RNIB chair, said closing was a difficult decision, but the charity had not been able to satisfy Ofsted that adequate progress had been made since their previous in January.

"The children and young people at the centre are our number one priority; they deserve the very best care and support," she said.

"We've worked hard to put things right but we accept that we're not the right organisation to be running this highly specialised service for children and young people with complex health needs."

Speaking to Tuesday's edition of In Touch, Radio 4's programme for visually impaired people, Ms Southwood admitted it was not the charity's finest hour.

The RNIB has been facing a deficit of £12.6m in its latest accounts. Two hundred jobs have been lost and other services cut back.

The school will close on 7 November.

So in reality, Ofsted has closed the school becuase it failed to meet minimum standards?