England care leaver mortality and support crisis

A government-commissioned report by Ashley John-Baptiste and Clare Chamberlain has revealed a mortality crisis among care leavers in England. In 2025, 112 deaths were recorded among individuals aged 18 to 24, a rate of approximately 130 per 100,000—significantly higher than the general population. The review identified suicide as a primary cause of death, with rates potentially five times higher than the general public.

The findings highlight a ‘care cliff’ where support often vanishes at age 18. Specific systemic failures noted include inadequate contact from personal advisers, who may only meet clients every two months, and housing support provided by profit-driven entities rather than therapeutic services. Contributors to these deaths include deep isolation and loneliness during the transition to independence.

In response, the government has announced £25 million for the Staying Close programme to support care leavers up to age 25. Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister and other officials have called for extending care services to age 25, humanizing social care, and improving mental health support to address these systemic gaps.