More than 100 young care leavers in England died in past year, data shows

Labour has launched an urgent review into the deaths, which one expert described as ‘unspeakably tragic’

More than 100 young people have died after leaving the care of social services in England in the past year, according to data released by the government.

In the year to April 2026 there were 106 reported deaths of care leavers, with 91 deaths reported in the 12 months before. Most of those who died were aged 16 to 21.

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