United KingdomAn investigation by The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has revealed that councils in England are spending over £125 million annually to place vulnerable children in unlicensed care homes. This practice involves more than 480 private companies receiving £250 million for 1,800 unlawful placements over the past two years. Despite being a criminal offense, nearly all councils rely on these illegal facilities due to a lack of available beds for high-risk children. Regulators have been hesitant to close these operations, citing the difficulty of finding alternative placements for children who pose risks to themselves or others. However, recent concerns about safety and criminal activity have prompted a stricter approach, with Ofsted achieving its first conviction against such facilities. The data highlights significant issues within the system, with some placements costing over £1 million and attracting individuals from diverse backgrounds beyond traditional care sectors.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual findings from an investigative report without overtly favoring any political side. It reports on systemic issues within the UK's child care system, highlighting both the problem and the responses from authorities and regulators. There is no clear ideological slant in the
