Laura Sharman 06 April 2018

Investigation launched into serious failures at specialist school

An investigation has been launched into a charity for the blind following ‘serious concerns’ over the safeguarding of vulnerable children and young people.

The Charity Commission has opened the inquiry into the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and its subsidiary charity after serious safeguarding incidents at the Pears Centre for Specialist Learning in Coventry.

The investigation will examine the governance, management and oversight of the charities’ safeguarding arrangements.

Eleanor Southwood, chair of RNIB, said: ‘A few weeks ago we received a notice from Ofsted, which regulates our children’s services, proposing to cancel our registration to run the children’s home at RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning in Coventry, Warwickshire. This was in response to a series of increasingly poor monitoring reports which have criticised the way we have run the service.

‘We now have to demonstrate to Ofsted substantial improvements by mid-April and we will know Ofsted’s decision in mid-May.

‘The children at Pears Centre are our number one priority. We recognise the seriousness of Ofsted’s concerns and we’re truly sorry that the level of service we’ve provided has not been good enough.’

The chief executive of the charity, Eleanor Southwood, has resigned from her position as a result of the investigation.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Social Worker - Wolfson Unit

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Assistant Highways Network Technician - WMF2343e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£26,403 - £26,824
This role will be part of the Network Team in the South Lakeland area based in Kendal. Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Social Worker - Young People with Disabilities

Essex County Council
£37185.0000 - £50081.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Young People with DisabilitiesPermanent, Full Time£37,185 to £50,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker - Family Support & Protection, West Essex

Essex County Council
£31931.0000 - £36423.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Family Support & Protection, West EssexPermanent, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, North Essex

Essex County Council
£31931.0000 - £36423.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, North EssexFixed Term, Full Time£34,904 to £50,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner