by Styliana Pasiardi, Charity Policy and Campaigns Manager, Together Trust
On Monday 7th September, I presented at a symposium on illegal/unregistered children’s homes and child exploitation at Anglia Ruskin University. The symposium brought together professionals from academia, charities, policing, the Department for Education, the NHS and frontline services, all committed to improving outcomes for children in care.
I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with others across the sector, share our work, and raise awareness of illegal children’s homes.
Illegal children’s homes continue to be a significant safeguarding concern to some of the most vulnerable children in our society. Children are being placed in settings that are not registered and have not been approved to provide care. This can leave children without the safeguards, oversight and support they need.
I was pleased to share a presentation slot with investigative journalist Tom Wall, whose reporting has helped shine a lighton the experiences of children living in illegal children’s homes. Tom shared findings from his investigations.
The depth of expertise, evidence and commitment across the sector was evident at the symposium. The challenge now is to turn that evidence into action.
Join us in taking action!
As part of this work, we have led a joint briefing alongside Anglia Ruskin University and Commonweal Housing charity,setting out the challenges facing children in illegal homes, and has specific asks for decision-makers.
If you would like to support the briefing and its recommendations, please get in touch with our Policy and Campaigns team at styliana.pasiardi@togethertrust.org.uk by 11th September 2026.
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Other research on illegal homes for children in care:
- Anglia Ruskin University: Illegal children’s homes increase exploitation risk
- Commonweal Housing: Hidden Children