I expect this will get lost amongst the Trump debate, but are the UK’s children’s homes system going to be uncovered as the next big money making scandal that is going undetected?
I read recently that some homes are making up to £910 per week profit, for every child and the amount being spent by councils to house children is £1.8 billion.
Blackpool is the centre for children’s homes because of the cheap housing prices and there are so many there that the council is introducing a law that states that there must be at least 400 metres between each home.
The bottom paragraph shows, to me, that we should be really concerned about this as it is clear that the whole thing is being driven by profit with little regard for the children, some of whom have been placed in Blackpool, despite being from London, which has cut them off from family and friends, giving them no support.
Councils spent £1.8billion on placements in private children’s homes last year, the Local Government Association says. Yet while their owners and investors make millions, the firms are often criticised for not even providing the basics for kids in their care.
There are 34 children’s homes in Blackpool, Lancs, which is the UK’s poorest town. So many are set to open there that the council has brought in new distancing rules of at least 400 metres between them.
All but one are operated by private companies, drawn to the area by cheap property and labour. Most are owned by foreign and private equity firms linked to offshore tax havens.