Government data reveals that 106 care leavers died in the year to April 2026, up from 91 in the previous year. Most were aged 16 to 21, and ministers believe the true figure is likely higher. Until December 2023, local authorities were not required to report such deaths.

Two-thirds of children and young people in the care system have been abused or neglected by their primary carer. In 2025, 81,770 children in England were under the care of local authorities. Many of the deaths recorded were not the result of natural causes.

Labour launched an urgent review into the deaths in April, describing it as a “horrifying fact” that a disproportionate number of care-experienced young people die young, often without having received appropriate support. Calls are growing for every care leaver death to result in a statutory review and a properly informed inquest so that lessons can be learned and future deaths prevented.

Josh MacAlister, Children and Families Minister, said: “The number of care leavers dying far too early in life is a stain on our society. The true number of deaths is likely to be higher even than the recorded figures, and in response we have taken decisive action to address this and turn around the failing children’s social care system which we inherited.”