‘Serious and widespread failures’ at Preston Docks children’s home planning expansion at Phoenix Park

PioneerTEC sign and entrance Pic: Google — PioneerTEC is part of the same operation planning Phoenix Park Pic: Google

A children’s home at Preston Docks has been rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted.

Pioneer Residential Care is home to up to six children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

Registered as Trax MX Limited, the private provider was given the inadequate rating following an inspection June.

While the facility includes a school operated by the same provider, only the social care element was inspected.

At the time of the inspection, five children were in Pioneer’s care, with each child living in their own staffed lodge on the 100-acre site. The post for a registered manager was vacant.

The inadequate rating was given in relation to the overall experiences and progress of children and young people, taking into account how well they were helped and protected, and the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

The Ofsted report says: “There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.”

According to the report, managers and staff are not delivering good quality care in line with children’s complex needs and plans. Ineffective leadership and management and poor safeguarding practice affect children’s experiences and progress, and put them at risk of harm.

Ofsted found a “significant number” of staff have left the home since the last inspection in May 2022.

Following the inspection, Ofsted issued a notice to prevent the admission of further children.

The company behind the home, owned by Eddie Sloane, recently gained full planning permission for the Phoenix Park development.

The development includes a previously-approved four-storey education centre – known as the Pioneer TEC Building – which is set to include expanded residential accommodation for up to 25 youngsters.

Blog Preston approached Pioneer TEC for comment but did not receive a response.

Lancashire County Council also did not respond to a request for comment.