1. Rehabilitation and Low Vision Committee
Chairman
Jenny Pearce

2. Main aim of group
The aim of the group is to ensure that every person who experiences sight loss can benefit from the provision of early access to a nationally agreed pathway promoting independence, choice and control over their lifestyle

3. Main Objectives
To influence key stakeholders, particularly local authority commissioners, so that blind & partially sighted people get the right help, at the right time, from the right person
To support the workforce and achieve a shared quality standard in the profession
To develop a UK-wide low vision quality standard
To conduct a project aiming to enable people with sight loss to enjoy a seamless journey on the Eye health and Sight Loss pathway, through an integrated care approach

4. Progress & Successes over 2016
RNIB ‘See and Plan’ campaign launched and succeeding in holding local authority commissioners to account
Successful application to Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, to set up a trailblazer apprenticeship scheme. Standards now being developed
‘Principles of Good Practice in Rehabilitation’ launched and disseminated, to support high quality standards of provision
Information pack ‘Sight Loss – What we needed to know’ developed and piloted, to enable newly certified people get prompt and accessible information
Study currently being conducted to show what costs are avoided by provision of rehabilitation
High level cross-sector Board set up for Integrated Care project

5. One Key Objective for the next year
Creation of Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme, to increase recruitment of Rehabilitation Officers, to meet needs – this is work in progress:
Quality standards being developed
Assessment process being determined
Assessment schedules to be developed with employer
Students on scheme from 16th January 2017
Effectiveness to be reviewed and monitored