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File on 4: Children’s Homes: Profits Before Care?

Children’s Homes: Profits Before Care?

BBC Radio 4 - File on 4, Children’s Homes: Profits Before Care?

An investigation into the standards of care provided by ‘for profit’ children’s homes.

Following on from last month’s children’s social care review, Tom Wall investigates the care standards provided by companies who make big profits out of children’s homes.

Last month an independent children’s social care review concluded that providing care for children in residential homes 'should not be based on profit'. The government response was that they have no any objection to profit being made as long as standards of care are properly regulated. 

But is there a difference in the standard of care between ‘for profit’ and ‘not-for-profit’ children’s homes? With exclusive access to new data from the regulator Ofsted, reporter Tom Wall investigates the companies that are making huge profits from the children’s homes to ask whether there is shortfall in care and whether the reforms suggested are necessary.  

Tom also talks to care leavers and children who have experienced life in homes where profit is a priority.

This epsiode of File on 4 is a repeat of the programme first broadcast on Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Reporter: Tom Wall
Producer: Jim Booth
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Journalism Assistant: Tim Fernley
Production Manager: Sarah Payton
Editor: Carl Johnston

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