Commission launches RNIB investigation

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory class inquiry into the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and its subsidiary charity, RNIB Charity, over concerns about the safeguarding of vulnerable beneficiaries.

Sally Harvey, chief executive of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, resigned yesterday after the Charity Commission said that it might have “consistently failed” to follow child protection regulations.

Concerns were raised following an Ofsted report at the RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning in Coventry.

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.”

In a statement the charity’s chair, Eleanor Southwood, said: “We’re truly sorry that the level of service we’ve provided has not been good enough.

“We are sorry that we have let down the children in our care and the people who loyally support RNIB.

“We are now doing absolutely everything we can to put things right and make sure the young people at Pears Centre receive the very best care and support.”

The RNIB will also be reviewing the “serious incident” independently, she said.

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