Ofsted has withdrawn registrations for young children at four PGL Activity Centres immediately amid’serious safety concerns’, including allegations of staff substance misuse.
The damage to the firm’s site in Liddington, Wiltshire, Marchants Hill in Surrey, Osmington bay in Dorset, Windmill Hill, East Sussex, and Marchants Hill in Surrey were all caused by the attack.
The Ofsted action relates only to the provision childcare for unaccompanied children younger than eight years old.
The company was established in 1957 and offers school adventure activity courses and camps for children aged 7-17.
It states that the six-week suspension by Ofsted will impact one customer who was already informed.
The suspension was ordered after Ofsted inspectors found “serious safeguarding problems” during a series this week.
The firm’s Liddington site in Wiltshire, Marchants Hill in Surrey, Osmington Beach in Dorset, Windmill Hill and Windmill Hill in East Sussex were all affected.
The Ofsted action is only applicable to the provision and care of unaccompanied children aged under eighteen. The company, which offers services for children aged 7-17 years, said its sites are open and that the suspension would not affect one booking. Pictured: Aerial view at the Liddington Centre
The suspension follows a series Ofsted inspections this past week that revealed serious safeguarding concerns. Pictured: Osmington Bay
The education watchdog raised safeguarding concerns about environmental health, safety, and conduct of staff, including substance misuse. Pictured at Windmill Hill
The education watchdog raised safeguarding concerns about environmental health, safety, and conduct of staff, including substance misuse.
MailOnline understands that substance misuse is being handled as a disciplinary matter. Police are also said to have begun an investigation.
Six PGL centres that provide care and activities for unaccompanied children during half-term holidays were visited by Ofsted this week.
The regulator stated that four camps had serious safeguarding concerns.
Ofsted can only inspect PGL’s childcare provision for children unaccompanied. Inspection reports do not cover services where children have been accompanied by their parents or school.
Ofsted claimed it doesn’t have the power inspect PGL’s other services.
A spokesperson for Ofsted stated that: “This week, we undertook inspections at PGL centres providing Ofsted registered care and activities to unaccompanied children on half term holidays.
“Having discovered serious safeguarding issues on four of these websites, we have taken the immediate decision to suspend each of the four registrations.
“Some of these concerns are being investigated and we are unable provide any specific details at this point.
“But we can advise them that they include environmental safety concerns, health and security issues, and the conduct and conduct of staff, including substance misuse.
‘PGL offers residential breaks and activity holidays to children aged 7-17 years old and operates from centres in the UK and France.
Ofsted is only authorized to inspect PGL’s registered childcare provider in England. We are not able to inspect or regulate other activities that PGL provides for children who have been accompanied by their parents or schools.
The spokesperson said that they were aware of the negative impact this decision would have on many families. PGL is required to notify affected parents immediately. We have requested contact details in order for us to do so.
MailOnline was told by a spokesperson from PGL that PGL is committed to the highest operational standards.
The impact has been felt at the company’s Liddington site in Wiltshire, Marchants Hill in Surrey and Osmington Bay, Dorset, Windmill Hill, East Sussex.
Recent reports from ‘Ofsted have highlighted potential risk arising from procedural and administrative shortcomings at four sites.
While the service being regulated by Ofsted will not be in operation for the next six week, we will be working closely with Ofsted to address their concerns.
‘The vast majority of PGL’s services – such as multi-activity programmes for the education sector or family adventure holidays – are completely unaffected and continue to operate as normal.
The regulator’s representations and communications regarding suspensions are both extremely disappointing, and frustrating. They create an impression of widespread and systemic problems that is completely wrong. This is despite the hard work, professionalism, and commitment of the PGL staff.
“We are passionate about providing high-quality, inspiring learning experiences that make a difference in young people’s lives.”