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Review finds death rate for young care leavers in England is four times the national average

A government-commissioned report calls for systemic reform after 112 deaths were notified among 18- to 24-year-olds in 2025.

Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 11:19 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • A Department for Education review revealed that English care leavers aged 18 to 24 face a mortality rate approximately four times higher than the general population.
  • The report highlights a severe drop in support at age 18, with the highest number of recorded deaths occurring during that transition year.
  • Causes of death among the 112 cases reported in 2025 included suspected suicide, drug misuse, homicide, traffic accidents, and mismanaged medical conditions.
  • The government plans to spend £25 million this year to roll out connected housing options intended to reduce isolation for young care leavers.

Key facts

  • A review commissioned by the UK Department for Education and co-authored by Ashley John-Baptiste and Clare Chamberlain found care leavers aged 18 to 24 have a mortality rate around four times higher than the general population.[BBC News]
  • Authorities were notified of 112 deaths among care leavers aged 18 to 24 in 2025, representing a rate of roughly 130 deaths per 100,000 people.[BBC News]
  • Out of the 112 notified deaths, 22 took place at age 18, making it the most frequent age for fatalities within the studied group.[BBC News]
  • Suspected suicides accounted for 40 of the deaths, indicating a rate potentially five times higher than the general population.[BBC News]
  • The report cited significant variations in support quality provided by personal advisers, noting current guidelines only mandate visits once every two months.[BBC News]
  • The UK government announced an initial £25 million investment this year to expand connected housing options to address isolation in care-leaver accommodation.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The report notes that 40 deaths were 'thought to have died by suicide', leaving exact figures dependent on official determinations or coroner reports.[BBC News]

Sources