NYAS responds to a government-commissioned review released on the 25th August 2026 on the early deaths of young people who were in care. The review can be read at this link: Review of early deaths of care leavers - GOV.UK
At NYAS we are heartbroken to read about the special lives, and tragic premature deaths, of care leavers examined in today's important review. The review, commissioned by the Department for Education, was led by author and broadcaster Ashley John-Baptiste and social work leader Clare Chamberlain. It tells the stories of six young people who died after leaving the care system, within the context of shocking findings around care leaver deaths more widely. Sadly we have experienced the loss of too many wonderful young people known to us through our services over recent years as well, which is why we welcomed the review when it was announced.
The appalling numbers and regularity of deaths listed in the review should be a cause of national shame - care leavers are estimated to be dying at three to four times the rate of other young people their age. There were 112 deaths reported in 2025, and this number may be higher due to councils losing contact with young people after they leave the care system. The precious, unique lives lost at such a young age must be a call to concerted action across government and wider society. To read the review, follow the link at the top of this piece.
We recognise that, as the report makes clear, "It was not within the scope of this review to develop detailed and specific policy recommendations", however it is vital that detailed and substantial policy actions do follow from this report. NYAS will certainly not be letting this tragic report pass without keeping up pressure for further action. We also know, through our services in Wales, that premature deaths of care leavers are just as worrying an issue for Welsh care leavers, and we are urging the new Welsh government and Welsh public sector leaders to undertake a comparable review. Today's report shows just how important it is that we learn from and reflect on the realities of young lives tragically lost.
One young person NYAS supports spoke to us about their experience of leaving the care system, and told us, "I was crying the day before my 18th birthday - I didn't know when or where I was going. My birthday happened and they just expected me to be an adult." No young person should be facing this reality – feeling like a switch flicks and they are expected to become an adult overnight.
NYAS Group CEO, Rita Waters, says:
“A person's age should not define what they need let alone what they suddenly no longer get, especially not when it turns their 18th birthday into something to fear and dread.
It takes a village to raise a child. Let’s all be that village and prevent care leavers' unnecessary premature deaths. Becoming an adult after growing up in care should be a moment for the whole village to come together around them, not for support and care to scatter and disappear."
Our mission at NYAS is to ensure that no one is ever alone or voiceless in, or while leaving, the care system. The findings of such widespread loneliness and neglect when young people reach the 'care cliff edge' therefore strike right to the heart of our mission, and all of our commitments to be there, on young people's side as they enter adulthood from care.
The report itself states: ' It is likely that one key ingredient to those who make more progress on leaving care is the presence of at least one adult who they can trust and who will support and guide them through the transition into adulthood.'
Wherever we can, we offer the kind of trained and trusted adults that are, sometimes, one of the only continuous relationships a young person keeps through the transitional period as they leave the care system. This could be an independent advocate to uphold their rights, a volunteer befriender (independent visitor) to talk to and do fun things with regularly, or a Side-by-Side volunteer to help them with everyday challenges as they find their own way in the world as adults.
One group of young people focused on within the report, some of whom had taken their own lives, were young care-experienced women who had experienced the removal of their own children. For parents facing the traumatic prospect of losing contact with, or custody of their own children, we offer parent advocacy and we are expanding our Project Unity services for young care-experienced mothers from Wales into England. Project Unity provides one to one emotional and practical support with the aim of supporting care experienced mothers through the challenges of parenthood and any social care procedures they face about their own children.
The 'village' of genuine care and effort that care leavers need as they embark on adult life is far wider than their statutory entitlements. It requires the concerted positive efforts of housing and health professionals, educators, employers, friends, neighbours and community groups. It means never assuming a young person is okay just because they don't speak up, and never assuming it’s someone else’s responsibility, rather than our own, to offer help or ask them if they are alright.
Our confidential NYAS Helpline is available for any child in care or young person leaving care, to share their experiences, questions and worries, and get the advice they need about their rights and connections to local support. NYAS’s advocacy and support helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm, and Saturday, 10am–4pm - you can reach us on 0808 808 1001 or via webchat: Helpline | Advocacy Helpline | Children's Helpline | NYAS
