A government-commissioned review has found that young people leaving care in England are between three and four times more likely to die aged 18 to 24 than their peers in the general population.
The independent report, titled titled: You really are on your own’: A study of the early deaths of young people who were in care, was led by broadcaster and care-experienced author Ashley John-Baptiste and social work leader Clare Chamberlain. It examined 112 deaths of care leavers notified to the Department for Education in 2025. It concluded that a dramatic drop-off in support after young people turn 18 leaves many with no safety net and with catastrophic consequences’.
The report paints a picture of isolation and loneliness, describing a ‘care cliff’ where vital connections and services vanish overnight. Of the 112 deaths, one-fifth occurred at age 18, the point at which young people transition out of the care system .
One care leaver quoted in the report recalled: ‘On my 18th birthday, I had a short placement at a hostel. It was just terrible. My memory of turning 18 was a formal discharge from children’s social care and signing up for Universal Credit.’
The review found that an estimated 36% of the young people who died had taken their own lives. The suicide rate among female care leavers was found to be potentially 15 times higher than the female rate in the general population .
Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister described the findings as a ‘stain on society’ and said the government is committing £25 million to expand its Staying Close housing programme, which aims to increase access to housing models that combine accommodation with community and ongoing relationships, including approaches similar to Shared Lives Plus, The House Project and Supported Lodgings.
The report includes anonymised case studies of six young people who died, illustrating the common patterns and themes.
David, who had type 1 diabetes, died from a lack of insulin after his specialist nurse and personal adviser stopped working with him when he turned 19. His body was not discovered for two weeks .
Michael, who suffered severe abuse as a child, was sent to an adult prison at age 18. Despite being identified as at high risk of self-harm, his vulnerabilities were not passed on, and he was found dead in his cell two weeks later .
Janey, a young woman who came into care at 15, took her own life after her three children were removed from her care.
The review makes a number of recommendations, including an overhaul of the workforce supporting care leavers, improved identification of care-experienced individuals in custody, and a review of health services for those with medical conditions .
John-Baptiste said: ‘As a care experienced broadcaster, I’ve been privileged to cover many aspects of the care system. That said, nothing could have prepared me for the devastating stories we’ve come across whilst doing this work.
‘The lives of these care leavers mattered. I really hope our review shines a light on who they were, how they were failed and serves as a useful report to stir us all.’
Social work leader, Clare Chamberlain said: ‘This review has reinforced what care leavers have told us for years: the state is no substitute for family. We need to do more to prevent the acute loneliness that the most vulnerable experience after leaving care.’
The full report can be read here.
Photo: StockSnap
Leave a Reply