More than 100 young people died after leaving the care of social services in England in the past year, according to government data. The figures, covering the year to April 2026, show 106 deaths of care leavers, up from 91 in the previous 12 months. Most of those who died were aged 16 to 21.
Children and families minister Josh MacAlister described the high number of deaths as 'a stain on our society'. Although a requirement to report these deaths was introduced in 2023, ministers believe the true figure is probably higher. Labour launched an urgent review into the deaths in April to identify where support systems may have failed.
The deaths include transgender people, young women who had their babies removed by social services, and unaccompanied asylum seekers. Many were not from natural causes. Samare Gerezgihir, 23, from Eritrea, and Issa Ali Musa Abdulrahman Barakat, 18, from Chad, were stabbed to death in 2024. Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim, 16, an unaccompanied asylum seeker, was murdered in 2025.
Benny Hunter, co-founder of Da’aro Youth Project, which works with young asylum seekers, called the figures 'unspeakably tragic'. He said there is no process to learn lessons when a care leaver dies while receiving statutory support. '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,' he added.
MacAlister said the government has taken 'decisive action' to address the failing children’s social care system. A review into the death of Evie, a 19-year-old care leaver who died from an overdose in June 2024, found a 'cliff edge' in the transition between services after turning 18. Professionals described her as a 'wonderful, charismatic girl'.
