Councils pay more than £125m a year placing vulnerable children in illegal care homes in England
An investigation has revealed that English local councils are spending over £125 million annually to place vulnerable children in illegal, unregistered care homes. This practice persists due to a severe shortage of regulated beds for high-risk children.
Why it matters
It exposes a systemic failure in child protection services and the exploitation of a public funding crisis by private providers.
Records show more than 480 private firms have been paid £250m for 1,800 unlawful placements of children over the past two years. Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images Records show more than 480 private firms have been paid £250m for 1,800 unlawful placements of children over the past two years. Composite: Guardian Design/Getty Images Social care Councils pay more than £125m a year placing vulnerable children in illegal care homes in England Exclusive: Booming industry of businesses profit from shortage of beds for most at-risk children
Princess’s story: the case that highlights scourge of illegal care provision
Prefer the Guardian on Google Councils are paying more than £125m a year of taxpayers’ money to place vulnerable children in illegal care homes across England , an investigation has found.
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