Revealed: top 10 children’s care providers made £300m profits

Concern at growing role of private equity as councils struggle to meet spiralling costs

The 10 largest providers of children's social care placements made more than 300m in profits last year, according to research that will fuel concerns over profiteering by private providers.

As pressure mounts within government, regulators, councils and fosterers over the provision of care for the country's most vulnerable children, analysis seen by the Observer reveals the growing role of private equity companies in many of the biggest suppliers of care home and fostering places.