Exeter Charity shows MP how it supports young people with complex vision impairments

Steve Race MP visited InFocus Charity in Exeter this week to learn more about the charity’s work supporting young people with vision impairment and additional complex disabilities. 

Based in Exeter, the charity continues to provide specialist care, education, and support across the country, aiming to improve long-term outcomes for young people while reducing future care needs.

The visit offered a chance to showcase the organisation’s specialist services and discuss challenges facing the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) sector.

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During the visit, Mr Race was introduced to the full range of InFocus services, including residential care, adult day services, supported living, and InFocus College, a further education college for 16–25-year-olds with complex disabilities. 

As an independent specialist provider, the college supports learners whose needs would not typically be met in mainstream education, offering tailored programmes that develop life skills, independence, and confidence.

“Our college sits at the very complex end of SEND provision,” said Jane Dye, Chief Executive of InFocus Charity. 

“We are independent and provide further education rather than a school. What we do can often be overlooked in wider discussions around SEND funding and reform.” 

“It is vital that the contribution of specialist colleges like InFocus is recognised at Government level.” 

“We welcome Mr Race’s support in highlighting the importance of specialist provision for those with the most complex needs, and the long-term impact it can have on young people’s lives.”

Mr Race said he was impressed by the quality of support and education offered.

“I really enjoyed visiting InFocus and seeing first-hand the work they do to support young people with visual impairments and complex needs,” he said. 

“The education, skills training, and care are clearly of a very high standard, helping students to develop independence and reach their full potential. Staff also raised some important points during my visit, which I will be taking up with Ministers.”

InFocus Charity is the UK’s only organisation focused solely on the combined challenges of vision impairment and additional disabilities, and is recognised as a national centre of excellence for supporting Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI), the most common cause of vision impairment in children.