@martinbarrow.bsky.social
Local authority foster carer, journalist. Sharing news and views about the care system, children and young people. Subscribe to my weekly bulletin via [email protected]
“Ownership structures in children’s social care can be highly complex.” In effect, a euphemism for owners, often offshore, who extract hundreds of millions of pounds from social care.
November 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“Ownership structures in children’s social care can be highly complex.” In effect, a euphemism for owners, often offshore, who extract hundreds of millions of pounds from social care.
Millions of pounds in profits are being extracted from supported accommodation for children supposedly in care
November 27, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Millions of pounds in profits are being extracted from supported accommodation for children supposedly in care
Thousands of fostering places are controlled by voracious private equity firms
November 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Thousands of fostering places are controlled by voracious private equity firms
Exploitative private owners open homes where they can maximise profits, not where it is best for children
November 27, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Exploitative private owners open homes where they can maximise profits, not where it is best for children
The two largest owners of children’s homes
November 27, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The two largest owners of children’s homes
All but one of the 12 biggest providers of children’s homes are owned by financial investors.
November 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
All but one of the 12 biggest providers of children’s homes are owned by financial investors.
Children’s homes and foster care are big business.
November 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Children’s homes and foster care are big business.
The full scale of the exploitative market in children in care is laid bare in a new report from Ofsted, published today.
Four out every 10 children in care now earn a profit for investors.
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Four out every 10 children in care now earn a profit for investors.
www.gov.uk/government/s...
November 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The full scale of the exploitative market in children in care is laid bare in a new report from Ofsted, published today.
Four out every 10 children in care now earn a profit for investors.
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Four out every 10 children in care now earn a profit for investors.
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Rosie Lewis seems nice.
November 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Rosie Lewis seems nice.
We are so quick to hail someone as our own when they are winning.
November 24, 2025 at 10:07 PM
We are so quick to hail someone as our own when they are winning.
The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and analysis about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up for your weekly email via [email protected]
November 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM
The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and analysis about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up for your weekly email via [email protected]
The Woodland Initiative website is a work of fiction.
November 23, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The Woodland Initiative website is a work of fiction.
Summary of findings
November 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Summary of findings
There’s some evidence for this in that the age of children taken into care has risen in recent years.
November 20, 2025 at 7:29 PM
There’s some evidence for this in that the age of children taken into care has risen in recent years.
The number of children coming into care is likely to have fallen by around 4%
November 20, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The number of children coming into care is likely to have fallen by around 4%
The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and views about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up for this free service via [email protected]
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and views about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up for this free service via [email protected]
Young Foundations is registered in Wales (where profit from children’s social care is to become illegal) but its homes and schools are mostly in England.
November 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Young Foundations is registered in Wales (where profit from children’s social care is to become illegal) but its homes and schools are mostly in England.
Highest paid director pockets more than £1 million.
November 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Highest paid director pockets more than £1 million.
MRA is a very profitable company. Look at those margins.
November 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
MRA is a very profitable company. Look at those margins.
Young Foundation is owned by the Adey family through a company called MRA UK Investment s Limited. Last year MRA charged councils more than £60 million for care and support of vulnerable children and young adults.
November 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Young Foundation is owned by the Adey family through a company called MRA UK Investment s Limited. Last year MRA charged councils more than £60 million for care and support of vulnerable children and young adults.
Young Foundations owns children’s homes and residential schools across the country. It is highly profitable. Pre-tax profits doubled last year.
November 16, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Young Foundations owns children’s homes and residential schools across the country. It is highly profitable. Pre-tax profits doubled last year.
Failings at every level
November 16, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Failings at every level
State of this
November 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
State of this
Abysmal care of children at this children’s home run by the private company Young Foundations Limited in Calderdale. Seven children live here.
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/1...
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/1...
November 16, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Abysmal care of children at this children’s home run by the private company Young Foundations Limited in Calderdale. Seven children live here.
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/1...
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/1...
For all the faux outrage about Bob Vylan, he is still deemed to merit a regular First Night review in The Times
November 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM
For all the faux outrage about Bob Vylan, he is still deemed to merit a regular First Night review in The Times