Reality TV Star's Children's Home Permanently Closed Over Care Concerns

Moss Farm Children’s Home in Altrincham, operated by Real Housewives of Cheshire star Ampika Pickston through her company AP Care Homes Limited, has been permanently closed following a tribunal decision that upheld Ofsted's cancellation of the home's registration. The closure was prompted by a damning Ofsted report that revealed serious safeguarding failures, including an incident where a child went missing and subsequently made an allegation of sexual assault, with unclear and undocumented protective actions. The tribunal, led by Judge Siobahn Goodrich, found a significant risk of harm to the health, well-being, and safety of the children, emphasizing the home's ineffective arrangements for protecting vulnerable children. Additional concerns included a high turnover of managers who clashed with Pickston over policies and her problematic approach to staff, which included overruling management decisions and demanding statements supporting her views regarding Ofsted. Reports also highlighted inappropriate behaviors such as children being taken for expensive meals and costly gifts, raising questions about boundaries in the care environment. Despite these issues, the home was noted for having high-end facilities, but the risk to children’s welfare led to the revocation of its authorization to provide regulated care services.