Thread by @BuzzFeedNews

Recently, we’ve revealed a history of troubling conditions at two of Britain's largest for-profit care home providers: Cambian and Keys Group.

These harrowing reports are emblematic of a sector that was once run by local councils but has become increasingly privatized.

Until the 1990s, local councils ran care homes exclusively. But councillors grew worried about ballooning costs and turned to private providers to save money.

Now, more than three-quarters of all care homes are run by for-profit companies.

The goal was to save taxpayers money while improving care for the children. But a BuzzFeed News analysis found there is little evidence to show either has happened.

Councils are still paying these companies vast sums of money. In 2018, Cambian charged taxpayers an average of £127,000 per child a year.

As for Keys Group, in 2016 councils paid up to £400,000 per year for the care of a single child.

That money isn’t translating to better care for the children. Private care homes were rated subpar by regulators more often than homes run by nonprofits, or by local governments, our analysis found. Cambian ranked even worse. (The company disputes our findings.).

Councils often have few choices when a child needs to be placed in a home quickly. As a result, the process can become an auction of sorts: The council asks for bids, and the company with the best offer wins.

A former Cambian manager called it "a cattle market for children.”

Shown BuzzFeed News’ findings about both Cambian and Keys, the chair of the powerful parliamentary education committee said he would be “discussing the matter” with the other committee members.

An investigation like this can begin many ways — sometimes through an anonymous tip.

If you know something that deserves to be investigated and exposed in the public interest, here is how you can contact us: contact.buzzfeed.com