Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve access to health services for care leavers in light of the finding of the independent Review of early deaths of care leavers, published on 25 August, that mortality rates are significantly higher among that group.

This government commissioned this review to examine the shockingly high number of early deaths of care experienced young people. We are determined to address this national tragedy and are working quickly, across central government and with local partners, to deliver a significant programme of improved support for care leavers as part of our wider reforms to children’s social care.

Work is already underway in this area, including implementing free NHS prescriptions, dental care and eyecare for care leavers from age 16 to their 25th birthday, funding the development of a toolkit to help local authorities and health partners to develop their own co-located mental health services for care-experienced young people, and embedding a mental health worker into local authority leaving care teams as part of further rollout of Staying Close. We will also ensure that statutory guidance for local authorities as well as health services takes account of the review’s findings, including to improve access to physical and mental health services for care leavers.