A Northamptonshire-based charity that owes £1.5m to HM Revenue & Customs has entered administration after a High Court application from its interim manager.
William Blake House, which provides residential care to young adults with learning disabilities across four homes, had an interim manager appointed last month and is currently subject to a Charity Commission inquiry.
The regulator opened its investigation after concerns were raised about late accounts, possible unmanaged conflicts of interest, potential unauthorised benefit and a £1.5m debt owed to HMRC.
The charity’s relationship with Van Kruger Consulting, which is run by WBH’s chair, Bushra Hamid, was also raised as a source of concern.
The organisation’s accounts for the years ending September 2022 to 2024 show it paid the consultancy about £650,000 in strategy fees.
WBH’s interim manager, Adam Stephens of S&W Partners, was appointed on 16 March and soon decided it was necessary to place the charity into administration.
Stephens issued an application to the High Court to place WBH into administration on 30 March.
Stephens and his colleague Christopher Allen, also of S&W Partners, have been appointed as the charity’s joint administrators.
WBH’s latest accounts, for the year ending September 2024, show it had 77 employees, but S&W Partners have been contacted for an updated staff count and for information about redundancies.
The Charity Commission said: “While in administration, William Blake House Northants will seek to continue to operate, with the legal process enabling the orderly management of the charity’s financial affairs as much as is reasonably practicable.”
The commission said the joint administrators will continue to manage the charity through the administration process, will explore alternative care options for residents and will liaise with affected families, West Northamptonshire Council and the Care Quality Commission.
The regulator’s inquiry remains ongoing, which the commission said seeks to understand the events that led to the charity’s serious financial challenges.
Amy Spiller, head of investigations at the Charity 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.”