HICA Group Appoints Two Compliance Support Officers

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to make sure care services are safe and top-quality? It’s a bit like a well-run kitchen in a restaurant. You don't just want the food to taste good; you also want to know that everything is clean, organised, and follows all the food safety rules. In the world of social care, it’s exactly the same principle, but instead of food, it's about people's well-being. A Yorkshire-based social care provider, the HICA Group, has just made a big move to double-down on its commitment to quality by bringing two new specialists onto its team. On 18th March 2026, the organisation announced it had appointed two new Compliance Support Officers, a move designed to strengthen the fantastic support they already provide.

Image: L-R Kelsie Carter and Zak Foster

Strengthening the team for better care

The HICA Group, which is a not-for-profit organisation, has brought Kelsie Carter and Zak Foster into the fold to boost its governance team. These new roles, known as Compliance Support Officers, are all about supporting the frontline teams—the amazing people who deliver care day in, day out. Kelsie and Zak will be working with care managers and staff to make sure every service meets the high standards set by official bodies like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and local authorities. This focus on compliance is key to delivering consistent, high-quality support for everyone, whether they have learning disabilities or require other forms of assistance.

So, what does a compliance support officer actually do?

It’s not about ticking boxes or being the ‘rules police’. The job is much more about teamwork and guidance. These support officers will work closely with all the different services the HICA Group runs across Yorkshire, the Humberside area, and Lancashire. Their goal is to help embed the best ways of working across the entire organisation, making sure safety and quality are part of everyday culture. It’s a proactive role, helping teams navigate the sometimes-tricky world of regulations so they can focus on what they do best: providing excellent, person-centred care.

Terry Peel, HICA’s CEO, explained the thinking behind the appointments:

“These roles have been created to strengthen the support that we provide to our services around compliance and governance. Kelsie and Zak will work closely with managers and teams to help them navigate regulatory requirements, maintain safe working practices and ensure that standards are applied consistently across our services.”

“As a not-for-profit care provider, it is essential that we operate transparently, responsibly and in line with the expectations of regulators, commissioners and the communities we serve. These appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to quality and continuous improvement.”

Meet Kelsie Carter, bringing a wealth of person-centred experience

One of the new faces is Kelsie Carter, who brings over 15 years of experience to the table. What’s really interesting is that while she’s new to the care sector itself, her entire career has been focused on providing person-centred support in other areas. She has worked in employment, education, and community services, doing everything from helping people get back into work to supporting apprenticeship programmes.

Speaking about her new role, Kelsie Carter said:

“I’m pleased to join HICA Group in this role. While I am new to the care sector, my experience has always focused on person-centred support and helping people work within clear frameworks. I am looking forward to supporting teams to maintain safe, high-quality services for the people they care for.”

And introducing Zak Foster, an expert in health and social care quality

The other new addition is Zak Foster, who joins with a strong background specifically in health and social care. He already has a degree in the subject and is currently levelling up his skills even further with qualifications in Leadership and Management and Internal Quality Assurance. 'Internal Quality Assurance' is basically the process of having an expert on your own team who regularly checks that everything is running as smoothly and effectively as possible. It’s a commitment to catching any potential issues early and constantly finding ways to do things better. His previous experience as a Trainer and Assessor in health and social care makes him perfectly suited to provide practical training and guidance to teams across the organisation, promoting the highest standards of practice and ensuring the focus remains on safe and effective person-centred care.

Zak said:

“I am looking forward to getting to know colleagues across our services, understanding how each team operates and contributing to our shared goal of delivering safe, effective and person-centred care.”

Why this focus on quality matters for everyone

HICA Group works with local authorities to provide vital care and support services for a wide range of people, including older people, adults with learning disabilities, and individuals with additional support needs. By investing in its governance team and strengthening its approach to compliance and quality, the HICA Group is building an even stronger foundation of trust with the communities it serves in Yorkshire and beyond. It’s all part of a journey of continuous improvement to ensure the care provided today is even better tomorrow.