Agape4All Limited v Ofsted

Facts

The appellant, Agapé4All Limited, was a registered provider of supported accommodation. On 27 March 2026 Ofsted served a Notice of Proposal to cancel its registration, to which the appellant made written representations on 24 April 2026. Ofsted issued a Notice of Decision cancelling the registration on 21 May 2026, sending it by Special Delivery to the appellant's registered address — the home of Ms Carmen Ibie, the nominated individual, who lived there alone. Royal Mail tracking recorded delivery, signed for "AGAPE", on 22 May 2026. Under section 21 of the Care Standards Act 2000 the appeal period expired on 19 June 2026 and the cancellation took effect on 20 June 2026. On 23 June 2026 Ms Ibie emailed Ofsted about the return of an application to change the nominated individual, referring to a Notice of Decision to Cancel Registration issued on 21 May 2026 which had "already been formally challenged" and was "subject to legal proceedings". Ofsted confirmed on 6 July 2026 that cancellation had taken effect; the appellant's solicitors said the Notice had never been received and a further copy was supplied on 7 July 2026. The appeal was lodged on 14 July 2026, and the Tribunal directed a preliminary hearing to decide whether it could be admitted out of time.