Care charity for young adults enters administration amid £1.5m debt probe
Investigation into William Blake House in Northamptonshire raises concerns over finances
A charity providing residential care for young adults with learning disabilities, which is being investigated over more than £1 million of debt, has gone into administration.
The Charity Commission acknowledged the “difficult and uncertain time” for residents of William Blake House in Northamptonshire, which runs four care homes across the county.
Earlier this year, the regulator announced a formal investigation into the charity, based in Towcester, after it was discovered it owed £1.5 million to HMRC.
The charities watchdog said its investigation will also cover “late filing of accounts; possible unmanaged conflicts of interest and potential unauthorised benefit”.
The charity will “seek to continue to operate” while in administration, the regulator said, “with the legal process enabling the orderly management of the charity’s financial affairs as much as is reasonably practicable”.
The commission said joint administrators will look into alternative care options for residents and will liaise with affected families, West Northamptonshire council and the health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission.
Amy Spiller, head of investigations at the commission, said: “We know it is a difficult and uncertain time for those receiving care at William Blake House.
“The administration process provides a breathing space for the charity to continue its valuable service while financial restructuring is explored.
“Continuity of care is a priority and efforts are being made by all involved to minimise disruption as much as possible. We are monitoring events closely as part of our ongoing inquiry.”
In February, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who has a disabled son, said a situation with such a charity facing closure would be “one of the worst nightmares of many parents with disabled adult children”.
Sir Keir Starmer branded the situation at the time one of “considerable concern”.