Children and Young People with a Visual Impairment Group
Minutes of Meeting held on 11th February 2005
Present:
Mike BraceVISION 2020 UK
John Ravenscroft}
Tom Fagan}VI Scotland
Debi WebbSeeAbility
Michael Clarke}
Alistair Fielder}RCO
Kay WrenchVIEW
Mary Bairstow}
Lucy Naish}RNIB
Shaun StevensAction
Libby HalfordChildhood Eye Cancer Trust
Carolyn FullardNBCS
Eileen BoothroydSense
Apologies:
Liz Gutteridge }
Judy Bell}
Liz Clery}RNIB
Sue Keil}
Julie Jennings}
Isabelle Russell-EggittGreat Ormond Street
Kate HoolePeterborough PCT
Frank SmithJoseph Clarke School
Sue WrightOpsis
- Introductions
Meeting began with all introducing themselves with a brief introduction of their organisation’s work.
2.Minutes of Previous Meetings
These were agreed.
- Matters Arising
3.1VI UK – small group now meeting to take this project forward. Looking to bid either through Big Lottery Fund or other suggested charities. Update at the next meeting.
3.2Information for Children and Parents – NBCS’s directory is due for publication in the summer of 2005. There is some discussion of the cost of this publication and also whether it will be made available on the internet free of charge. A number of other agencies, such as SPECS and Contact a Family, are looking at preparing directories/ information services and MB will try to make contact with these organisations to see whether it would be possible to list this information in VISION 2020 UK’s publications list.
- Children with Dual or Multiple Disabilities
All agreed that this was a growing area of concern and challenge. Significant numbers of children attending special schools now have dual or multiple disabilities and many of the Specialist Schools and Colleges report figures of 60% of students classed as having dual or multiple disabilities. The cost of providing specialised housing or supported living facilities is high and a number of organisations are withdrawing from this type of provision based on the cost and the ideal of residents to be “local” to their wider family support networks. The question of whether it would be useful to hold a conference/seminar on key aspects of education/services/health provision to children and young people with dual or multiple disabilities was raised and those present felt it would be a good idea, provided it could be well organised and attract high quality speakers. MB asked whether the agencies around the table could identify any research in this area either within the UK or abroad, which he could circulate to Members for their information and also to inform the planning of a possible conference. Action: All
The focus of the next meeting would concentrate on the outline for a conference and content/speakers.
- Young Adult Protection Policies
MB raised this as it had occurred in a number of settings. Is someone aged 16-25 with a visual impairment automatically a vulnerable adult? Many protection policies applied to this group appear to be straight transfers of child protection policies, which is clearly wrong. Opsis will be undertaking some work in this area, which they can hopefully share with other organisations. Any information, or experience, of developing these policies would be helpful to share and Members should contact Mike Brace with any information. Action: All
- Chairing of the Group
MB raised the issue of whether any of the Group Members would consider Chairing the Group, as it would be more appropriate for one of the key players in Children and Young People’s Services to lead the Group and set the agenda. There were no immediate takers but those present agreed to think about the idea and contact MB outside the meeting. Action: All
- Dates of Future Meetings
Date of the next meeting, 7th June in London from (11:00 am to 1:00 pm).
Proposed autumn date – 11th October in London (same time)
Proposed winter date – 13th December in London (same time)
- Any Other Business
None