Because We Care Northampton Ltd v Care Quality Commission

Facts

Because We Care Northampton Ltd registered as a provider with the Care Quality Commission in November 2018, operating a domiciliary care agency at 30 Brookfield Rd, Northampton, which at the date of the preliminary hearing was providing care to five service users. Miss Fiona O'Donnell was the Registered Manager and Nominated Individual, and Mr Chay Lynch, a director, became Acting Manager in January 2025. Following an earlier inspection on 21, 26 and 27 November 2019 which produced an overall rating of 'Requires Improvement', the Commission inspected the service between 10 and 23 June 2025 and rated it 'Inadequate' overall, with two domains rated 'Inadequate' and three 'Requires Improvement'. On 10 July 2025 the Commission issued a Notice of Proposal to cancel the provider's registration. The provider made full written representations on 14 August 2025, but on 22 September 2025 the Commission rejected them, adopted the proposal and issued the Notice of Decision cancelling registration under section 17(1)(c) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. The provider appealed to the First-tier Tribunal. A further inspection commencing on 6 January 2026 found continued breaches across the same regulatory areas. The Commission applied on 7 July 2026 to strike out the appeal, and the provider renewed an application to postpone the final hearing.