More than 100 care leavers in England died in past year, data show

More than 100 young people died after leaving the care of social services in England in the past year, government data show.

In the year to April 2026, 106 deaths of care leavers were reported, up from 91 in the previous 12 months. Most of those who died were aged 16 to 21.

Although a requirement to report these deaths took effect in 2023, ministers believe the actual number is likely higher.

Labour launched an urgent review in April to identify failures in support systems. Announcing the review, the government described it as a “horrifying fact” that a disproportionate number of care leavers die young, often without adequate support.

In 2025, 81,770 children were looked after by local authorities in England.

The latest deaths, released Thursday, include transgender people, young women who gave birth and had their babies removed, and young unaccompanied asylum seekers.

Many deaths were not from natural causes. They include Samare Gerezgihir, 23, from Eritrea, and Issa Ali Musa Abdulrahman Barakat, 18, from Chad, who were stabbed to death in 2024, and Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim, 16, an unaccompanied child asylum seeker in care, murdered in 2025.

Two-thirds of children and young people in the care system had been abused or neglected by their primary carer. Until December 2023, local authorities were not required to report deaths of care leavers; they must now do so through the serious incident notification system.

Benny Hunter, co-founder and research lead at Da’aro Youth Project, which works with young unaccompanied asylum seekers and refugees mainly from eastern Africa, said the figures were “unspeakably tragic”.

He added: “Following our intervention in 2021, the government agreed to start asking local authorities to tell them when a care leaver dies, so that they could start counting these deaths for the first time.

“Care leavers are some of the most vulnerable young people in society. At present, there is no process in place that would allow for lessons to be learned when a care leaver dies while in receipt of statutory support from a local authority.

“When a care leaver dies, the important questions about the circumstances of their life and the support they were receiving do not get asked.

“It is important that the government now takes action to ensure every care leaver death results in a statutory review and a properly informed inquest, so that lessons are always learned and future deaths may be prevented.”

Evie was a care leaver who died at age 19 after taking an overdose at her grandparents’ home in June 2024. A review into her death in August 2025 found a potential “cliff edge” in the transition between services after turning 18.

Although she disclosed suicidal thoughts, adult safeguarding support for her was declining. She had a traumatic and abusive relationship with her mother and managed caring responsibilities for her mother from her teenage years; her mother later died, causing Evie enormous anxiety.

Despite telling some professionals about her suicidal thoughts, this information was not adequately communicated to others involved in her care. Her housing provider was unaware of safeguarding concerns or the care and support she needed.

Professionals who worked with her described her as a “wonderful, charismatic girl.” In a tribute after her death, friends and family said: “Best sister, best auntie, best friend, best daughter and best person. Evie you brought so much joy to people, not only those close to you.”

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted at freephone 116 123. In the US, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, Lifeline is at 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.