Â鶹ԼÅÄ

For almost three years now, Newsnight has been highlighting the dangers faced by children in care from the increasing use by councils of accommodation that’s unregulated.

Teenagers have told the programme they’ve been exploited, abused and left to fend for themselves, struggling with their mental health.

New figures given to Newsnight show that since April 2018 at least 14 children in care have died in this sector, some of them taking their own lives. 

As of 9 September 2021, the law in England has changed – it’s now illegal for councils to put children under 16 into these homes. But what about older children? 

UK Editor Katie Razzall and producer Sally Chesworth report.