IndiCare was built from both sides of the care experience.
First as a child whose life was recorded by adults. Years later, as a Registered Manager responsible for the care, leadership and records of other children.
“I don’t feel it is my right to build IndiCare Intelligence. I feel it is my responsibility.”
Tom Kelly — Founder, Registered Manager and care-experienced adultI understand records from both sides.
The record becomes part of your story.
Adults may remember writing a record for one shift, one incident or one decision. For the child, those words can remain long after the moment has passed.
They can influence how other adults understand them and may later become part of how they try to understand their own childhood.
The record carries evidence and accountability.
Adults are expected to describe complex moments clearly, accurately and respectfully, often while the shift is still moving around them.
Managers rely on those records to understand practice, review decisions, identify learning and make sure actions are completed.
It did not begin as an idea for another software company.
It began with a problem I had seen repeatedly throughout residential childcare.
Better technology should strengthen care, not distance adults from it.
Every decision about IndiCare and ORB should return to the same principles.
Keep the child central
The child’s experience, communication and humanity should remain visible throughout the work.
Keep responsibility human
Technology may support thinking and drafting, but adults remain accountable for judgement, action and final decisions.
Build for the real world
The product must understand the pressure, complexity and emotional reality of residential childcare.
Therapeutic recording is not about making difficult events sound softer. It is about being factual, curious and respectful without reducing a child to their most difficult moment.
Help adults think, reflect and record more clearly.
The purpose is not to make adults less important. It is to reduce some of the pressure surrounding writing, reflection and evidence so adults can apply their experience and judgement more effectively.
It is about helping adults leave clearer records, helping managers see what needs attention and protecting the child from being reduced to a collection of incidents or labels.
Ultimately, it is about helping adults spend more of their time and energy on what matters most: the child in front of them.
The founder story behind IndiCare Intelligence.
Hear more about the lived experience, frontline responsibility and belief that led to IndiCare.
Every moment becomes part of a child’s journey.
The words we leave behind help shape how that journey is remembered.
ORB supports professional practice and human decision-making. It does not replace safeguarding procedures, statutory responsibilities, provider policies, management oversight, emergency action or professional judgement.