Government lawful in allowing 16- and 17-year-olds in unregulated care, court rules

Campaigners say legislation leaves children over 15, some living in caravans or barges, at risk of abuse

Campaigners are to appeal after a court ruled the government had acted lawfully by allowing councils to place looked-after children aged 16 and 17 in unregulated" accommodation without care or supervision.

They had argued that legislation introduced last year was discriminatory because it required local authorities to provide minimum accommodation standards for children in care aged 15 or under, but not for those who were older, leaving the latter group at risk of abuse.