669 kids are caught up in 'illegal homes crisis'

COUNCILS spent an estimated £353 million last year on housing children in illegal homes, including caravans, holiday camps and Air BnBs, according to a new report.

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On September 1, there were 669 children living in illegal homes - down from 764 on the same day in 2024, the report from Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said.

Of these 669 children, 89 have lived in the same illegal housing for more than one year and nearly 60% have complex additional needs or disabilities, according to the data.

Most children in illegal accommodation are over the age of 15 (51%), while 46% were aged 10 to 15 and 3.1% were under 10 years old, the report said.

Dame Rachel said her findings, released on Sunday, were "indicative of wide failings across an entire system" and called for improved models of children's social care.