Britain’s hidden children’s homes

Thousands of teenagers in care are living in unregulated homes and being "abandoned to organised crime gangs", Newsnight is told.

As part of a special series of reports, Newsnight has learned that - according to figures from the Department for Education - around 5,000 looked after children in England are living in so-called 16+ supported or semi-supported accommodation - up from 2,900 ten years ago.

This type of accommodation is not subject to statutory inspection or registered, even though residents are in the care of the state.

Police forces have raised concerns, saying criminals see the premises as an easy target for recruitment.

Children and families minister Nadhim Zahawi said: "Local authorities are required to make sure that children in care and care leavers are given suitable accommodation to meet their needs, including that they are safe and secure which is why I recently wrote to all Directors of Children's Services to remind them of this obligation."

Newsnight’s UK editor Katie Razzall reports.

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