Review finds early deaths of care-experienced young people linked to drop off in support after turning 18

Content warning: the linked report discusses the deaths of young people, including deaths by suicide.

Yesterday, the government published a review by Ashley John-Baptiste and Clare Chamberlain, looking into the shockingly high number of early deaths of care-experienced young people.

The report is clear. Care-experienced young people are being failed. For too many young people, support falls away when they turn 18, leaving them feeling abandoned and isolated.

Leaving home and living independently is not easy. But most of us have support from family and friends, giving us a safety net to make mistakes and learn from them, and the love and encouragement we need to build the futures we want for ourselves.

For young people leaving care, that support drops off at the very point they need it most, and turning 18 means suddenly going it alone.

Settle’s CEO, Dan Jones, said: “It's devastating that this review was necessary. These are tragedies that should never have happened, and they show that we are collectively failing young people leaving care.”

We welcome the emphasis in this review on the ‘care cliff’ and the need to keep supporting young people after they turn 18. Like all of us, young people leaving care need trusted, caring relationships and the right support around them to face the challenges and opportunities of living alone.

At Settle, this is what we do. We wholeheartedly agree with the review's central message: "The work of helping a child deal with an adult world, of understanding a difficult past and planning for the future, of issues of identity, who you are, who you will be, where you belong, what you want from life – these are hugely difficult ... This is not just about training or qualifications for PAs, it’s about ... recognising the need to build trusted relationships with young people"

Thank you Ashley and Clare for doing this vital work. We hope the government acts on your findings, and at Settle we are ready to help. Because leaving care should never feel like no-one cares.

If you need support, please reach out to your coach or join one of our graduate drop-ins. You are not alone – we are here for you.

You can also contact any of the following urgent support lines below at any time:

The Mix - 0808 808 4994

Samaritans - 116 123

Become - 0800 023 2033

Shout - Text ‘SHOUT’ to

85258 (24hr)