@martinbarrow.bsky.social
Local authority foster carer, journalist. Sharing news and views about the care system, children and young people. Subscribe to my weekly bulletin via weekincare@gmail.com
The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and views about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up for this free service via weekincare@gmail.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and views about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up for this free service via weekincare@gmail.com
Young Foundations is registered in Wales (where profit from children’s social care is to become illegal) but its homes and schools are mostly in England.
November 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Young Foundations is registered in Wales (where profit from children’s social care is to become illegal) but its homes and schools are mostly in England.
Highest paid director pockets more than £1 million.
November 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Highest paid director pockets more than £1 million.
MRA is a very profitable company. Look at those margins.
November 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
MRA is a very profitable company. Look at those margins.
Young Foundation is owned by the Adey family through a company called MRA UK Investment s Limited. Last year MRA charged councils more than £60 million for care and support of vulnerable children and young adults.
November 16, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Young Foundation is owned by the Adey family through a company called MRA UK Investment s Limited. Last year MRA charged councils more than £60 million for care and support of vulnerable children and young adults.
Young Foundations owns children’s homes and residential schools across the country. It is highly profitable. Pre-tax profits doubled last year.
November 16, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Young Foundations owns children’s homes and residential schools across the country. It is highly profitable. Pre-tax profits doubled last year.
Failings at every level
November 16, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Failings at every level
State of this
November 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
State of this
Abysmal care of children at this children’s home run by the private company Young Foundations Limited in Calderdale. Seven children live here.
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/1...
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/1...
November 16, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Abysmal care of children at this children’s home run by the private company Young Foundations Limited in Calderdale. Seven children live here.
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/1...
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/1...
For all the faux outrage about Bob Vylan, he is still deemed to merit a regular First Night review in The Times
November 12, 2025 at 1:42 PM
For all the faux outrage about Bob Vylan, he is still deemed to merit a regular First Night review in The Times
Children’s services in Manchester have been judged outstanding by Ofsted
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/44/...
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/44/...
November 11, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Children’s services in Manchester have been judged outstanding by Ofsted
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/44/...
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/44/...
The latest Week in Care is in inboxes now. This week’s edition is not an easy read.
November 10, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The latest Week in Care is in inboxes now. This week’s edition is not an easy read.
BBC tragedy is that there is no need to doctor the crazy things that Trump says
November 10, 2025 at 8:13 AM
BBC tragedy is that there is no need to doctor the crazy things that Trump says
The child was accepted into the home even though it was clear that staff would be unable to meet their needs.
November 7, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The child was accepted into the home even though it was clear that staff would be unable to meet their needs.
Imagine if we applied the same approach to ALL children, not just those who grow up in care. On your 16th birthday, your mum and dad pack your bags and point you to a distant bedsit.
November 5, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Imagine if we applied the same approach to ALL children, not just those who grow up in care. On your 16th birthday, your mum and dad pack your bags and point you to a distant bedsit.
Ofsted warns of “serious concerns for the safety and wellbeing of children” sent to live at this children’s home run by Oxfordshire Council
November 4, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Ofsted warns of “serious concerns for the safety and wellbeing of children” sent to live at this children’s home run by Oxfordshire Council
The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and views about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days, with links to more than 40 articles. Subscribe to this free service via weekincare@gmail.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The latest Week in Care is out, rounding up news and views about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days, with links to more than 40 articles. Subscribe to this free service via weekincare@gmail.com
Latest accounts suggest that the two directors have taken out more than half a million pounds in dividends over the past two years.
Who’d have thunk it?
Who’d have thunk it?
November 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Latest accounts suggest that the two directors have taken out more than half a million pounds in dividends over the past two years.
Who’d have thunk it?
Who’d have thunk it?
Findings from the inspection:
November 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Findings from the inspection:
This is how the company promotes itself
October 30, 2025 at 6:43 PM
This is how the company promotes itself
Vulnerable children have been forced to sleep on a mattress on the floor with no bed frame at this so-called supported accommodation run by a private company, Ofsted revealed today.
October 30, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Vulnerable children have been forced to sleep on a mattress on the floor with no bed frame at this so-called supported accommodation run by a private company, Ofsted revealed today.
The Times: We must get absent children back into school.
Also The Times: Scandal of cost of getting absent children back into school
Also The Times: Scandal of cost of getting absent children back into school
October 28, 2025 at 9:51 AM
The Times: We must get absent children back into school.
Also The Times: Scandal of cost of getting absent children back into school
Also The Times: Scandal of cost of getting absent children back into school
Latest Week in Care is out, curating news, analysis and resources about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up for a free weekly email via weekincare@gmail.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Latest Week in Care is out, curating news, analysis and resources about children’s services and the care of young people from the past seven days. Sign up for a free weekly email via weekincare@gmail.com
Progressive Care is owned by Shabir Ali, whose investment company, AMDG Holdings, was paid £14 million by councils last year.
October 23, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Progressive Care is owned by Shabir Ali, whose investment company, AMDG Holdings, was paid £14 million by councils last year.