Care leavers are dying at a disproportionate rate – evidence and leadership are needed to support them

The review was conducted by social work leader Clare Chamberlain and journalist Ashley John-Baptiste, who grew up in care himself. It found that isolation and a drop-off in support contributed to the early deaths of 112 care leavers aged 18 to 24 in England in 2025. This is a staggering death rate of 130 per 100,000 care leavers, a figure at least three times higher than the general population.