Families worried for future of complex needs home

Families said they were worried about the uncertain future of a specialist care home supporting adults with complex needs.

William Blake House - which runs four care homes for adults with learning disabilities in Blakesley, Northamptonshire - is under investigation for "serious concerns around possible financial mismanagement".

The charity said it had "an alternative plan to ensure continuity of services, which is now in progress".

Chris, whose autistic and non-verbal younger sister has lived there for more than 10 years, told Annabel Amos on BBC Radio Northampton on Tuesday: "There's been no communication and on 1 April, [the residents] could end up being homeless."

He continued: "I think the worst-case scenario is that we will have to find another place, and that is not going to be easy.

"We'd be challenged to find somewhere with the same ethos."

The group, which was registered in 2001, first came to the Charity Commission's attention in November 2025 over "financial and governance concerns".

The regulator said its investigation would examine the charity's financial management, including late filing of accounts, potential unmanaged conflicts of interest and whether there had been any unauthorised personal benefit.

Lou and Rodger said they were worried their 31-year-old son Jimmy, who is non-verbal and has lived at the home for seven years, could be forced to move and "would have to come home again".

"We couldn't bear the thought of him being placed in a random residential home, which could happen, full of unsettled people [and] noise which would set him backwards," said Lou.

Rodger added: "It's a bit of a living nightmare. [Places like William Blake House] are very, very hard to find, and have very limited availability."

In a statement, William Blake House said: "We are aware of the depth of feelings expressed by the parents of loved ones at William Blake House.

"The CEO, leadership team and staff have always provided excellent professional care to all the people we support, at all times."

In February, Sarah Bool, the Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire, raised concerns on behalf of families in Parliament.

She said: "The families have had no notice of any of this, no consultation. They're naturally worried about what provisions will be in place for their loved ones."

And during Prime Minister's Questions, the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Sir Kier Starmer to meet families who had proposed a rescue plan to take over the homes.

"There are very few homes in this country which offer this sort of care, and now it faces closure," said Sir Ed.

"As a father of a disabled son, I can say this situation is one of my worst nightmares."

A spokesperson from Reform-run West Northamptonshire Council said it was in "regular contact with senior managers of William Blake House," and expected an update on mitigation plans at the end of March.

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