‘Heartbreaking’: private care homes accused of failing UK children due to closures

Staff warn vulnerable children may be harmed as they struggle to find placements after 28 homes given deadline to shut by chain

One of the UK's largest for-profit care chains has been accused of failing dozens of vulnerable children by shutting 28 residential homes, with staff warning they are struggling to find placements for all the children.

Outcomes First Group, which is owned by private equity firm Stirling Square, is planning to close a string of children's homes across the Midlands and southern England by 5 May. The homes are understood to accommodate more than 60 children, placed in the care of the private group by councils including Bristol, Cheshire and Enfield in London.