A RESIDENTIAL and day care centre in Blackburn has been presented with the Investors in People award.

Richardson House in Billenge End Road is the first division of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People to receive the award.

The team, which was helped to reach the national standard by East Lancashire training and Enterprise Council, said the award was a milestone, not a destination.

House principal John Arnold said: "The Investors in People standard enabled us to test our systems and develop new ones and to supervise and support our staff. It helped us to to clarify our training objectives."

The centre helps 10 people who attend during the day, 10 others who are supported in flats around Blackburn and about 25 deaf people living in Richardson House.

Apart from a range of communications skills, such as sign language and other manual communications, staff have diagnostic capabilities and a broad understanding of mental and social health issues.

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