Jenny qualified as a solicitor in January 2012 after undertaking her training contract with Ridouts. Jenny initially joined the firm as a legal assistant in 2009 and has gained a deep understanding of the issues facing health and social care providers.
Jenny has wide experience in drafting highly effective responses to CQC inspection reports and enforcement action, including Notices of Proposal to cancel providers’ registrations. Jenny has also represented Clients appealing decisions made by Ofsted and the CQC at the First-tier Tribunal (Care Standards) and the Care Council for Wales.
Jenny has also worked with a number of Clients in highly complex safeguarding matters, supporting them during investigations, at meetings with commissioning authorities and in producing detailed responses to allegations raised.
Jenny also has detailed experience of conducting the regulatory due diligence for providers who are selling or purchasing their business.
In addition, Jenny delivers training for health and social care providers on how to prepare for CQC inspections and ensure compliance. Jenny has a particular interest in educating providers and their staff on how the regulation of the sector might affect their business.
Jenny is able to combine her legal expertise with a pragmatic and thoughtful approach to most operational issues, offering Clients advice on how any legal matter may impact their business and how they might mitigate that risk.
Recent cases:
- Jenny submitted an appeal to the First Tier (Care Standards) Tribunal in respect of a Decision by the CQC to cancel a residential care provider’s registration. Jenny introduced the provider to a consultant who assisted with necessary improvements. On the basis of that work, Jenny was able to draft detailed witness statements and provide to the Tribunal a schedule of changes at the service that rendered the Decision no longer relevant. CQC withdrew its opposition to the appeal and the Decision was quashed, allowing the business to carry on as normal.
- Jenny represented a doctor who had been contacted by the GMC regarding allegations made by a former patient. Jenny drafted a full response to the allegations and was able to draw together evidence which determined that the allegations were in fact incorrect. The detailed submissions were submitted to the GMC and an investigation conducted. The GMC concluded that, on the basis of the evidence submitted on behalf of the doctor, there was no case to answer.
- Jenny advised a small care provider that was subject to a local authority safeguarding investigation. Jenny advised the provider to co-operate fully and assisted with the submission of all requested evidence in reference to the allegations that had been made. The local authority failed to respond to the Client’s submissions within a reasonable time and failed to conduct a timely investigation, despite imposing an embargo on admissions until the matter had been concluded, having a serious impact on the Client’s business. Jenny attended safeguarding meetings and held the local authority accountable for the delay. The matter was swiftly concluded as “unsubstantiated”, the embargo was lifted and a formal apology issued by the Council
Outside of work Jenny enjoys team sports, eating out and catching up with friends.
Read Jenny’s articles.
