School for deaf children under threat following funding shortfall

                        

A school providing specialist education for deaf children is at risk of closure unless a long term funding solution can be found, it was warned today.

The John Townsend Trust, an educational charity which operates The Royal School for Deaf Children Margate along with Westgate College for Deaf People, was today placed in administration as a financial review of the trust is undertaken.

Up to 120 redundancies have been announced across the Trust's education and care providers, with warnings that unless funding is found within weeks, the schools and other services could face closure.

It is understood that services will remain in place until the end of this term, when new funding sources will be required.

The Royal School for Deaf Children provides a specialist education and residential environment for some 55 children aged four to 19 who are deaf, have a hearing impediment or communication difficulty, while Westgate College for Deaf People offers specialist educational services to 55 young people between the ages of 19 and 22.

Each child and young person at the schools works alongside a staff member to meet their individual needs.

The announcement follows an inspection of Westgate College by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that led to certain services being limited

“As a result, on Thursday, November 19, CQC took urgent enforcement action to limit the services which can be provided at Westgate College for Deaf People and the Road Project.

“We will continue to work very closely with Kent County Council and health colleagues to ensure that people using the services receive the service to which they are entitled."

Geoff Rowley, partner at FRP Advisory and joint administrator, said: "Our initial priority is on the ongoing provision of core services and care and the well-being of all of the Trust's pupils and residents.

"Whilst The Royal School for Deaf Children and Westgate College together have more than 250 years of history supporting children and young adults in need, it is expected that unless a long term funding solution can be found that we shall have to focus on achieving the carefully planned closure of the school and associated services, working closely with local authorities."

Alongside education provision, the John Townsend Trust runs a range of community living services, including the The ROAD project for deaf people, and supported living accommodation.

The Trust also operates four charity shops in Kent.