This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33800751

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Kids Company a political football - Camila Batmanghelidjh Kids Company a political football - Camila Batmanghelidjh
(35 minutes later)
Kids Company has become "a football for the media and the civil servants", the charity's founder has said.Kids Company has become "a football for the media and the civil servants", the charity's founder has said.
Camila Batmanghelidjh said some people in government wanted the charity to "disappear" and there had been a "malicious discrediting campaign".Camila Batmanghelidjh said some people in government wanted the charity to "disappear" and there had been a "malicious discrediting campaign".
Kids Company closed on Wednesday after ministers said they wanted to recover a £3m grant given to the charity.Kids Company closed on Wednesday after ministers said they wanted to recover a £3m grant given to the charity.
The Cabinet Office said it believed conditions attached to the use of the money had not been met.The Cabinet Office said it believed conditions attached to the use of the money had not been met.
Concerns have previously been raised by government officials about the the financial management of the charity, which started in south London and supports deprived young people and their families.Concerns have previously been raised by government officials about the the financial management of the charity, which started in south London and supports deprived young people and their families.
But Ms Batmanghelidjh told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Kids Company had been subjected to a "trial by media" based on "rumours and conjectures".But Ms Batmanghelidjh told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Kids Company had been subjected to a "trial by media" based on "rumours and conjectures".
She said reasons for the charity closing included:She said reasons for the charity closing included:
Ms Batmanghelidjh said there was "no basis" to the allegation being investigated by police.Ms Batmanghelidjh said there was "no basis" to the allegation being investigated by police.
What did Kids Company do?What did Kids Company do?
It provided services including counselling, walk-in centres with hot meals and help with housing and healthcare for children and young people whose parents were often unable to care for them.It provided services including counselling, walk-in centres with hot meals and help with housing and healthcare for children and young people whose parents were often unable to care for them.
It had branches in London, Bristol and Liverpool, employed 650 people.It had branches in London, Bristol and Liverpool, employed 650 people.
What went wrong at Kids Company?What went wrong at Kids Company?
"It feels like we've lost a parent". 'It feels like we've lost a parent'.
Ms Batmanghelidjh said parts of the government supported the charity but others wanted it to "disappear off the patch".Ms Batmanghelidjh said parts of the government supported the charity but others wanted it to "disappear off the patch".
The government released £3m to Kids Company last week after Ms Batmanghelidjh confirmed she would step aside and take on a new advocacy and clinical role.The government released £3m to Kids Company last week after Ms Batmanghelidjh confirmed she would step aside and take on a new advocacy and clinical role.
The grant had been intended for a "transformation and downsizing plan", but the BBC understands £800,000 was used to pay wages.The grant had been intended for a "transformation and downsizing plan", but the BBC understands £800,000 was used to pay wages.
Asked if Kids Company's finances could have been run better, Ms Batmanghelidjh said it had struggled due to lack of funding rather than mismanagement.Asked if Kids Company's finances could have been run better, Ms Batmanghelidjh said it had struggled due to lack of funding rather than mismanagement.
She accepted Kids Company had a "hand to mouth existence", but said it was struggling to cope with the number of children "pouring through our doors".She accepted Kids Company had a "hand to mouth existence", but said it was struggling to cope with the number of children "pouring through our doors".
"It's not about bad management on our part, it's about trying to sort out something that society isn't dealing with," she said."It's not about bad management on our part, it's about trying to sort out something that society isn't dealing with," she said.
Case studiesCase studies
'Annie' from London said:'Annie' from London said:
I left home at 16. My uncle was abusing me.I left home at 16. My uncle was abusing me.
I moved in with my partner. His brother was already in touch with Kids Company so I wanted to call them. Within a week of writing to Camila Batmanghelidjh she was hugging me in her office.I moved in with my partner. His brother was already in touch with Kids Company so I wanted to call them. Within a week of writing to Camila Batmanghelidjh she was hugging me in her office.
I was given a key worker who up until Wednesday evening had been with me.I was given a key worker who up until Wednesday evening had been with me.
I got pregnant and social services were involved. My key worker was there at every meeting with them.I got pregnant and social services were involved. My key worker was there at every meeting with them.
Everything was made so clear to me and at the end of the process social services said they had no concerns so my daughter is still with me.Everything was made so clear to me and at the end of the process social services said they had no concerns so my daughter is still with me.
Another London child said:Another London child said:
We would queue up. We would sign, put our names down, sign off that we got our money, get a little brown envelope with £30 in it and an Oyster travel card, then we would go to the shop, do whatever with that money, spend it on drugs I suppose.We would queue up. We would sign, put our names down, sign off that we got our money, get a little brown envelope with £30 in it and an Oyster travel card, then we would go to the shop, do whatever with that money, spend it on drugs I suppose.
Kids Company has been supported by prime ministers David Cameron and Gordon Brown.Kids Company has been supported by prime ministers David Cameron and Gordon Brown.
Mr Cameron was accused this week by a senior figure involved in funding talks with the charity of being "mesmerised" by Ms Batmanghelidjh and overruling concerns raised.Mr Cameron was accused this week by a senior figure involved in funding talks with the charity of being "mesmerised" by Ms Batmanghelidjh and overruling concerns raised.
The Cabinet Office said: "The government has supported Kids Company... to help it deliver services for vulnerable young people and so we are disappointed it has been unable to move to a sustainable financial position.The Cabinet Office said: "The government has supported Kids Company... to help it deliver services for vulnerable young people and so we are disappointed it has been unable to move to a sustainable financial position.
"The welfare of these young people continues to be our primary concern and we are now working closely with local authorities to make sure they have access to the services they require.""The welfare of these young people continues to be our primary concern and we are now working closely with local authorities to make sure they have access to the services they require."
The Bristol branches of the charities Hop Skip and Jump and Family Lives said they would support those affected by Kids Company's closure.The Bristol branches of the charities Hop Skip and Jump and Family Lives said they would support those affected by Kids Company's closure.