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A recent review reveals that young adults who have recently left the care system face a mortality rate approximately four times higher than their peers in the general population. The study highlights the absence of adequate safety nets for these individuals, which can lead to devastating consequences. Specifically, it notes that the transition at age 18 marks a critical juncture in England, when many lose crucial support mechanisms. The Government-commissioned report emphasizes the urgent need to address this so-called “care cliff.”
Ashley John-Baptiste, a broadcaster and co-author of the review who experienced life in care himself, described these premature deaths as a national tragedy during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program. In 2025 alone, 112 deaths were reported among care leavers aged between 18 and 24, translating to around 130 deaths per 100,000 individuals in this group. John-Baptiste shared his personal story about turning 18 and having to leave the last of four foster homes where he had lived. Without financial means to buy a bed frame, he slept on a mattress on the floor of his council flat, feeling abandoned and profoundly isolated.
The report, co-written by social worker Clare Chamberlain, draws attention to the age of 18 as a pivotal moment with significant challenges. Notably, 22 of the deaths occurred exactly at 18 years old—the highest number within the age group studied. This finding strongly suggests the intense pressures faced by care leavers immediately after leaving the system. The report identifies suicide as a cause in just over a third (40) of the cases, a figure potentially five times higher than that observed in the wider population. Other identified causes include murder, road accidents, drug misuse, and even issues related to mismanaged medical conditions such as diabetes.
In response to the findings, the review calls for improved preparation of young people leaving care and substantial reform of the professionals supporting them. Personal advisers (PAs) are the main source of ongoing assistance, yet the quality of support varies widely across different regions. The report notes that some PAs only meet their clients once every two months and may scarcely know them, limiting effective guidance. Criticism is also directed at accommodation services, which often operate through profit-driven channels without specific therapeutic or social work expertise. The government is progressing with a national rollout of connected housing options aimed at fostering community and reducing isolation for care leavers. Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister emphasized the importance of “enduring relationships” within the care system, stating, “Care must build and not break the relationships that young people need, and this must be the new North Star.”
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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