More than 100 care leavers died in England in a year, review finds — support ‘drops off’ at 18

A government-commissioned review has found that a sharp reduction in support for young people leaving England's care system at age 18 has contributed to more than a hundred deaths in a single year. The review, led by social work leader Clare Chamberlain and broadcaster Ashley John-Baptiste, examined the deaths of 112 care leavers aged 18 to 24 during 2025.

The study found the death rate in this group was three to four times higher than in the general population, while suicide rates among female care leavers could be as much as 15 times higher. Overall, 36% of the deaths examined, including 24 women, were probably suicides. A fifth of the deaths occurred at exactly age 18, a point the review said marked an “immense drop-off” in support services.

Children's minister Josh MacAlister said care leavers had been left profoundly isolated and lonely, calling the situation “a stain on society”. John-Baptiste, who grew up in the care system himself, described the review as the most emotionally difficult work of his career.

Cases examined included young people in custody, mothers who had had their children removed, people undergoing gender transition, young asylum seekers, and murder victims. One case involved a young man referred to as David, who died in summer 2025 after losing access to insulin support when he could no longer see the children's diabetes nurse who had monitored his condition; his body was not found for two weeks after his death.

The review found that many personal advisers assigned to support care leavers barely knew the young people, were poorly trained, and avoided difficult emotional conversations, with contact required only once every two months. In response, the government announced £25m in funding for housing support for care leavers, including shared housing schemes. Since December 2023, local authorities have been required to report care leaver deaths through a formal notification system.