We offer up to 52-week specialised residential care to children and young people with multiple disabilities and complex needs who are blind or partially sighted from pre-school age, whether or not they attend our school. We provide a comfortable and homely environment in new purpose-built bungalows with gardens and outdoor play areas. This service has been graded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted since November 2011.
Due to changes in demand, from 1 July 2013 we are no longer providing a separate bungalow dedicated to providing short breaks and respite care. We have recently launched a new service supporting children and young people with high medical and healthcare needs.
Promoting independence
Young people are encouraged to make their own everyday choices and develop independence skills. We work in partnership with parents, carers and families to ensure they are closely involved at each step of their child's journey.
Our team promotes achievement in personal development, independence, communication, mobility and socialisation. We actively support transition to ensure that all young people attending RNIB Pears Centre get the very best start to their adult life.
24-hour care all year round
Our dedicated team of social care professionals (including waking night staff) provide care around the clock. Our staffing structure ensures that the complex needs of the young people are met. Between the hours of 7am and 10pm the ratio is at least:
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two staff for one to two children
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three staff for three to four children
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and four staff for five to six children.
Every night, two social care professionals are on duty in each bungalow, with supervision from a night team leader.
All RNIB Pears Centre staff and volunteers are required to undertake regular training in safeguarding children and young people.
Specialist facilities
Our five specialist bungalows are designed to develop and encourage independence as well as cater for the individual needs of the children. Each bungalow has six specially designed bedrooms as well as gardens and outdoor play areas.
Due to the complexity of individual and collective needs, a bathroom shared between two bedrooms provides specialist facilities for personal care. Each bathroom is equipped with a rise and fall bath, changing bed and hoisting equipment.
All areas are accessible for individuals who are wheelchair users or who have restricted mobility.
Personalised space
Each young person staying with us has their own bedroom which is made safe and personal to them, giving them their own private space. Families and carers are encouraged to help make RNIB Pears Centre more familiar to the young person, by providing items that remind them of their family or that have a special meaning, for example:
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tactile photo albums
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photos with captions
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posters
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an 'object of transference' - something to evoke associations with a person or event, such as a scarf fragranced with Mum's perfume, one of Dad's ties, a special toy or a piece of music.
Find out more about how the young people at RNIB Pears Centre relax and have fun.
More information