Kids Company: Charity Commission launches probe

The regulator, which oversees the running of charities in England and Wales, said it has opened a statutory inquiry into Kids Company in order to address concerns about the “administration, governance and financial management of the charity, and identify wider lessons for other charities and trustees”.  

A statement released by the Charity Commission said it has been engaging with the charity since 17 July 2015 over specific allegations relating to financial management and governance issues. The charity closed on 5 August.

Following the closure of Kids Company, founder Camila Batmanghelidjh hit out at ministers, civil servants and sections of the media.

She told CYP Now there had been a concerted campaign by civil servants briefing against her and also claimed the media had been paying young service users for negative stories about Kids Company.

The Charity Commission said it has also been in contact with a number of statutory and public agencies including the Insolvency Service, and held a multi-agency meeting on 13 August to ensure effective co-ordination and liaison with other relevant agencies.

“In light of the intense public scrutiny and speculation over the charity’s activities, and the increasing number of allegations in the public domain about its governance and financial management, the commission has now formalised its engagement in a statutory inquiry in order to investigate and put on the public record whether or not these allegations are found to be true,” the statement said.

“This is in line with the regulator’s duty to promote public trust and confidence in charities.”

“The trustees have been co-operating with the commission throughout its engagement with the charity. They have welcomed the inquiry and will continue to co-operate with the commission.”