Natalia Kossakowska: CQC False Registration Fine Totals £4,102

• Former Company Director Natalia Kossakowska was ordered to pay £4,102.36 after pleading guilty to an offence prosecuted by the CQC.
• Ms. Kossakowska provided false documents claiming Daisy Home Care Ltd, Balby, Doncaster, was CQC registered when it was not.
• The fraudulent documents were given to a service user's family and the local authority.
• Her actions constituted an offence under Section 36 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
• The CQC emphasized that operating unregistered services without oversight puts people at risk and they will act against such unlawful practices.

The CQC's swift and decisive action in this instance reinforces its stance that it will not hesitate to intervene when individuals operate unlawfully by falsely claiming CQC registration.

A former company director, Natalia Kossakowska, has been ordered to pay a total of £4,102.36 following her guilty plea at Barnsley Magistrates Court. The prosecution, initiated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), centered on Ms. Kossakowska's actions in providing false documentation. She had falsely claimed that Daisy Home Care Ltd, located in Balby, Doncaster, was registered with the CQC, when in fact it was not.

The deception involved Ms. Kossakowska furnishing these fraudulent documents to both a service user's family and the local authority. This misrepresentation created a false impression of regulatory compliance for Daisy Home Care Ltd. The court's judgment included a fine of £833, along with an order for Ms. Kossakowska to pay a victim surcharge of £333 and prosecution costs amounting to £2,936.36. Her actions constituted an offence under Section 36 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, specifically pertaining to Natalia Kossakowska's CQC false registration.

The Care Quality Commission plays a critical role in safeguarding individuals receiving care by ensuring that service providers meet stringent national standards. Registration with the CQC is not merely an administrative formality; it is a fundamental requirement that guarantees oversight and accountability, thereby protecting vulnerable people from potential harm. Services operating without this essential registration function outside any regulatory scrutiny, inherently exposing service users to significant risks, which is why CQC prosecution for unregistered care services is so vital.

This case underscores the CQC's unwavering commitment to actively pursuing individuals who attempt to circumvent these vital regulatory frameworks. As articulated by Victoria Marsden, the deputy director of adult social care in the north region, such deliberate attempts to deceive the public about a service's registered status are unacceptable. The CQC views the provision of false documentation as a serious breach that directly jeopardizes the safety and well-being of those relying on care services. The prosecution of Natalia Kossakowska for an offence under Section 36 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 exemplifies the robust legal mechanisms in place to address such misconduct.

The outcome of this prosecution sends a clear message regarding the personal liability faced by company directors who engage in fraudulent activities concerning CQC registration. Ms. Kossakowska, as a former Company Director, was held directly accountable for her actions, demonstrating that individuals at the helm of care providers cannot evade responsibility for misrepresenting their services' regulatory status. The CQC's swift and decisive action in this instance reinforces its stance that it will not hesitate to intervene when individuals operate unlawfully by falsely claiming CQC registration.

This case highlights the critical importance for all care providers, and particularly their leadership, to ensure absolute compliance with CQC registration requirements. Lawyers advising care providers or local authorities must be acutely aware of the severe penalties associated with fraudulent claims and the operation of unregistered care services. The CQC's proactive enforcement against individuals like Natalia Kossakowska, who provided false CQC registration documents, serves as a powerful deterrent, emphasizing that the integrity of the registration process is paramount for maintaining safety and trust within the care sector, including penalties for false CQC registration documents.

This case highlights the CQC's proactive enforcement against individuals misrepresenting care service registration, including personal liability for directors. Lawyers advising care providers or local authorities must ensure strict compliance with CQC registration requirements and be aware of the severe penalties for fraudulent claims.

Source: Original reporting via CQC announcement