As the cost of living crisis continues to increase the strain on families, a record 142,000 children in England are homeless and living in what should be short term temporary accommodation.
Children are being consigned to B&Bs and hotels, former office blocks - even shipping containers – some without a bed of their own, living among rats and cockroaches - conditions the children’s commissioner has condemned as Dickensian.
With the help of young people and their families, File on 4 investigates how temporary accommodation - meant to be a short term safety net - has become a trap some children can’t escape.

Reporter: Jane Deith
Producer: Nicola Dowling
Technical Producer: James Beard
Production Coordinator: Jordan King
Editors: Clare Fordham and Carl Johnston

Image: Imgorthand via Getty Images