Nearly a quarter of foster places in England provided by private equity-backed firms

Placements for foster children are paid for by councils, who either provide the placements themselves or outsource them to independent fostering agencies. Photograph: supermut/Alamy

Experts have raised alarm over the “commodification” of vulnerable foster children as analysis reveals almost a quarter of all foster places in England are now provided by private equity-backed companies making millions of pounds in profits.

Analysis for the Guardian by thinktank Common Wealth found independent fostering agencies (IFAs) are making millions via public funding from councils to provide placements for foster children, while foster carers struggle to pay bills.