Committee publication · Correspondence · 21 April 2026
letter from Minister for Children and Families on early deaths in care experienced young people dated 15.04.26
From: Education Committee
Summary
The Minister for Children and Families writes to inform the Education Committee that the government has commissioned two external experts—Ashley John Baptiste (care experienced broadcaster and author) and Clare Chamberlain (former Director of Children's Services)—to investigate the elevated rate of early deaths among care experienced young people. The review will examine recent deaths from the young person's perspective and identify systemic improvements needed, with findings to be published later in 2026.
Key findings
- Suicide and early death remain prevalent among care experienced young people, described as 'heartbreakingly' part of the care experience for many
- Many care experienced young people lack high-quality relationships that provide emotional security and reduce loneliness
- Two external experts commissioned: Ashley John Baptiste (care experienced broadcaster, journalist, author) and Clare Chamberlain (40-year social work and system leadership veteran, former Director of Children's Services)
- Review will examine recent deaths of care experienced young people with focus on relationships and what could have been done differently
- Findings will inform improvements to support across all aspects of care experienced young people's lives, building on the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Josh MacAlister OBE MP, Helen Hayes MP, Ashley John Baptiste, Clare Chamberlain, Department for Education
Notable line
“Suicide and early death remain, heartbreakingly, part of the care experience for far too many.”
Key Quotes
“Children in care and care leavers have often faced significant adversity and too many care experienced young people do not have the high ‑ quality relationships that provide emotional security, reduce loneliness and improve life satisfaction.”
“Suicide and early death remain, heartbreakingly, part of the care experience for far too many.”
“They will start from the perspective of the young person, focusing on who and what mattered to them, and will seek to understand what could have been done differently.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗