A landmark review has highlighted the challenges faced by young people transitioning out of care at the age of 18, a situation described as a "care cliff" that reportedly leads to tragic outcomes. The review was referenced in a letter published on 1 September 2026.
Dr. Bob Broad, a former professor of children and families research at De Montfort University, stated that his research indicates local authorities require sufficient funding, staffing, and planning to assess and implement care options when a child enters care. He noted that solutions to this issue are neither quick nor straightforward.
Dr. Broad also suggested that support could include kinship care, where an extended family member becomes a carer after an assessment. Both foster care and kinship care options necessitate dedicated, skilled carers, extended family members, staff, and funding to provide the necessary flexibility for young people and carers.
Alan Walker, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at the University of Sheffield, referenced research from the 1980s by Eric Sainsbury, which identified similar vulnerabilities among care leavers 40 years ago. That earlier research recommended greater participation by young people and parents, more continuity in adult relationships, and better preparation for leaving care.