The largest private suppliers of children's homes and foster care places in England, Wales and Scotland make excessive profits, says a watchdog.
The UK has "sleepwalked" into a system where some vulnerable children do not get good care, says a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) report.
However, private providers say some of their services can cost less than their council equivalents.
The CMA study into children's social care was launched a year ago.
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