Falling through the gaps: New research into care leavers’ experiences

Care leavers are vastly over-represented in our justice system. Children in care and care leavers account for less than 1% of the general population, yet over 25% of the adult prison population has been in care. While the state spends thousands on some of these young adults, their outcomes are consistently poor: half of care leavers have mental health needs and a quarter face mental health crises.

Innovation Unit is being funded by the Oak Foundation to understand the lived experience of care leavers in prison and following release, and the experience of those that support them. We want to see 18-25 year old care leavers break the reoffending cycle, help them flourish, and fulfil their aspirations. Achieving this goal is complex and this is partly because so many different organisations are charged with providing support; from local government to children’s social care, the criminal justice system to health, and many more.

For the past six months we have been gathering in-depth stories about people’s experiences from across the system, to understand the challenges care leavers face, as well as the strengths and resources they have to draw upon.

Our report, published today, highlights six key insights which describe what is working well and the problems that care leavers often face.