STORY
Catalyst Care Limited and its two directors have been fined after admitting offences connected with the operation of three unregistered children’s homes in Kent. Ofsted said the case was its first successful criminal prosecution of an illegal children’s home provider, following an investigation into accommodation provided to nine children between October 2022 and April 2025.
The company, Davidson Lynch Shyllon and Miriam Ekathor pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court in March. They were sentenced on 4 August and received fines totalling £92,400, alongside victim surcharges of £2,960 and costs of £17,250. The two directors were also disqualified from carrying on, managing or holding a financial interest in a children’s home.
Ofsted said repeated warnings had been issued while the homes continued to operate and received more than £1.7 million from local authorities. Children’s homes in England must be registered so that staffing, safeguarding and living conditions can be inspected. Ofsted has also received new powers to impose financial penalties and is expanding the team responsible for investigating unregistered provision.