An independent government review has laid bare the devastating reality facing many young people leaving care, warning that a dramatic drop in support at age 18 is contributing to tragic and preventable deaths.
Published by the Department for Education (DfE) on 25 August 2026, “You really are on your own”: A Study of the Early Deaths of Young People Who Were in Care examines the deaths of care leavers aged 18 to 24 during 2025. Written by journalist and care leaver Ashley John-Baptiste alongside social work leader Clare Chamberlain, the report delivers a stark assessment of a system that too often abandons young people at their most vulnerable.
Troubling picture
Its findings paint a troubling picture of isolation, inadequate services and a sharp reduction in support once young people reach adulthood, with the report warning of the “catastrophic consequences” of this so-called care cliff.
In response, the government has announced a national rollout of connected housing options for care leavers, backed by £25 million in funding this year. The initiative aims to provide homes that offer not just accommodation, but community, stability and meaningful relationships, helping to combat the loneliness that so many young care leavers experience.
However, as evidenced by the report, an overhaul of the framework for support to young care leavers is urgently required.
Death rates far higher than the general population
During 2025, the DfE received 112 notifications of deaths involving care leavers aged between 18 and 24 in England.
This equates to an estimated death rate of around 130 per 100,000 care leavers, approximately three to four times higher than that of the general population.
Perhaps most alarming is the number of deaths believed to have been caused by suicide. 40 young people, including 24 women and 16 men, are thought to have taken their own lives, representing 36% of all reported deaths. The report suggests that the suicide rate among care leavers could be as much as five times higher than that of their peers.
Turning 18: When Support Falls Away
One of the clearest findings from the review is that more deaths occurred at age 18 than at any other age within the 18-to-24 age range.
This statistic highlights a critical weakness in the care system. While young people gain legal independence at 18, many are expected to navigate adulthood without the support networks that most young adults rely upon.
The report argues that the transition from children's services to adult services is often abrupt and poorly managed, leaving vulnerable young people facing adulthood alone.
1. Are young care leavers truly ready for adulthood?
Although schemes exist that allow some young people to remain with foster carers after turning 18, many care leavers move into semi-independent or fully independent accommodation. Others experience periods of homelessness.
For some, the prospect of independence is exciting. After years of professional oversight and monitoring, freedom can feel empowering. Yet the report warns that independence without support can quickly become isolation.
Without strong, stable relationships, many young people struggle to cope with the realities of living alone. What appears to be independence on paper can, in practice, leave young people feeling abandoned and disconnected.
As the report notes, the sense of being completely alone can become overwhelming, leading to anxiety and depression.
2. The dangerous drop in support
A central theme throughout the review is the significant gap between children's and adults' services.
Once young people turn 18, many find themselves no longer eligible for the support they previously received. At the same time, adult services often have exceptionally high thresholds for intervention.
This means that care leavers experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma or chronically low self-esteem can fall through the cracks. Their needs may be serious enough to affect every aspect of their lives, but not severe enough to qualify for specialist adult support.
The report is clear: meaningful progress will require addressing the care cliff that leaves too many young people without help during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
3. The crucial role of personal advisers
For many care leavers, their personal adviser (PA) is their main source of professional support. Yet the report found significant variation in the quality and consistency of these relationships.
Some PAs developed strong, trusting relationships with young people, often going above and beyond their formal responsibilities. These individuals could provide stability, guidance and an important source of emotional support.
Others, despite being committed and caring professionals, had limited knowledge of the young people they were supporting. In some cases, advisers knew little about a young person's childhood experiences, family history or the challenges that had shaped their lives.
The report suggests this inconsistency is hardly surprising given current expectations. Personal advisers are only required to meet with young people once every two months, making it difficult to build meaningful relationships or identify emerging risks.
A system in urgent need of change
At its heart, the review poses a difficult question: why are some of the country's most vulnerable young people receiving less support at the very moment they are expected to become fully independent?
The findings suggest that many care leavers are being asked to manage adulthood alone while still carrying the impact of trauma, instability and loss. Without stronger relationships, better mental health provision and a more gradual transition into adulthood, the consequences can be tragic.
The report serves as a powerful reminder that leaving care should not mean losing care. For many young people, turning 18 is not the end of their need for support. It is precisely when they need it most.
How can we help
Bond Solon have launched a new three-day programme – Legal Literacy in Transitional Safeguarding (0–25): Planning Perfect Transitions – with the primary objective of equipping practitioners and managers with the knowledge required to make legally defensible, rights-based decisions that prevent young people from falling into support gaps at key transition milestones.
Suitable for professionals working across the 0-25 age range, the programme will cover children’s legislation, adult legislation, mental capacity, human rights and health funding interfaces.
It is currently offered on an in-house basis only. If you would like more information about this course or would like to enquire about booking this course for your team, please contact us on 020 7549 2549 or info@bondsolon.com.