In 2020/21, a total of 44,590 17- to 21-year-olds left a care placement according to Department for Education figures. These children were looked after for at least 13 weeks after their 14th birthday, including some time after their 16th birthday. Nearly a quarter were aged 21 and 58 per cent were male. Since 2018, the numbers leaving care have risen by roughly 2,000 a year.
Local authorities are expected to stay in touch with care leavers and provide statutory support to help them transition to living independently.
The proportion of care leavers whom the local authority is in touch with varies by age and is increasing across all ages except 17-year-olds.
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