The unregulated homes failing to protect children

A BBC News investigation has found that children are being placed at risk of abuse in unregistered homes.

Young people over the age of 16 are increasingly being placed in homes not designed to provide care but instead offer support – known as semi-independent living.

The BBC has learned more than a dozen investigations into so-called organised or complex abuse allegations have been launched by councils across the UK into failures to protect children over the last four years.

The Department for Education says: "Councils have a legal duty to make sure accommodation for these children is suitable".

The BBC's Noel Titheradge and Ed Thomas have this report.