More than nine in 10 (91%) care-experienced adults in the UK felt lonely and isolated during their time as a child in care, research has revealed.

One in five (18%) felt this way all the time, according to a new report by Action for Children. 

And nearly a quarter (23%) did not feel at home, although two-thirds (66%) had a generally positive experience of care homes.

Action for Children chief executive Paul Carberry said: ‘We still hear regularly from children who have had poor, or even dire, experiences in care.

‘There simply aren’t enough of the right types of homes for children in care in the right parts of the country that can meet the needs of those children.’

The charity called on the Government to provide capital investment for the creation of new residential placements and grant special planning status to high-quality voluntary sector residential care providers.

It also said not enough attention was paid to the quality of homes and how this impacted children.

The chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, Arooj Shah, said: ‘We want to work with the Government to ensure we have the right homes, in the right places, for children in care, and the support around children to ensure they feel loved, valued and part of their community.’

A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘All too often, care placements for vulnerable children come at a human cost to young people who aren’t getting the support they need, as well as a massive financial cost to councils.

‘We are committed to improving the experience of children in care, and our Children's Wellbeing Bill will strengthen regulation to make sure every child has a safe, loving home.’