NSPCC Learning - Care experienced young people

Current awareness for policy, practice and research (CASPAR) briefing

The Department for Education has published the findings of an independent review exploring deaths among care experienced young adults in England. The review analysed all care leaver death notifications in 2025, looking at six cases in more detail, to understand the circumstances surrounding care leaver deaths and identify lessons for policy and practice to help prevent future deaths. Findings show that many care experienced young people felt alone and that there was a significant reduction in support once they were 18 years old. The review makes five recommendations for change including reform of the framework for support to young people leaving care, with findings suggesting that the current workforce supporting young people leaving care is not fit for purpose for those with greatest need. The review also calls for the government to consider a mandatory process for reflecting and learning lessons when a young care leaver dies, similar to that required for child deaths in England.

Read the review: Review of early deaths of care leavers