Regulator opens compliance case amid ‘serious concerns’ at children’s charity

The Charity Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case amid safeguarding and leadership concerns at a children’s home charity.

The case has been opened into Friends Therapeutic Community Trust, which last week announced it is voluntarily suspending services at its Glebe House school and children’s home that specialises in supporting boys with a history of harmful sexual behaviour.

The charity took the decision to temporarily close the Cambridgeshire based services from the end of November until April 2024 after a critical inspection in June by children’s social care inspectorate Ofsted found “widespread shortfalls” in its management at Glebe House.

“We are aware of serious concerns in relation to Glebe House (Friends Therapeutic Community Trust),” said a spokesperson for the Charity Commission.

“We have opened a regulatory compliance case and have contacted the charity to obtain further information.”

The charity has also been issued with two compliance notices from Ofsted following subsequent visits.

An internal investigation also criticised safeguarding practice at the charity following “a serious incident” in July, said the Trust.

Concerns raised by Ofsted include one child having to attend hospital after being wrongly receiving a double dose of his medication.

Ofsted also criticised managers for not addressing boys' access to “inappropriate material” online, oversight of training and record keeping.

The charity said it had voluntarily suspended its services to “focus on rebuilding the organisation and the service and using the opportunity to make all the necessary improvements”.

It admitted it had “not been able to work” on wider improvements being planned before Ofsted's visit.