The study also found evidence of intergenerational disadvantage. Children born to mothers who had themselves experienced out-of-home care were more likely to display emotional and behavioural difficulties. However, researchers emphasised that the increased risk was driven primarily by associated socioeconomic factors, including instability in housing, educational disadvantage and poorer maternal health and wellbeing, rather than care experience alone.
Professor Ingrid Schoon of the UCL Social Research Institute said the findings demonstrate the enduring impact of care experience across the life course, describing a “cliff edge” in support as young people transition out of the care system. She argued that services must adopt a family-focused, lifelong approach rather than withdrawing support abruptly in late adolescence.
Co-author Dr Sam Parsons highlighted the relevance of the findings to ongoing policy debates. The independent review of children’s social care led by Josh MacAlister in 2022 described care experience as “the civil rights issue of our time” and recommended that it be recognised as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. That recommendation has not been implemented.
The authors argue that the data provides further evidence in support of reform, pointing to systemic discrimination, social exclusion and long-term harm experienced by care-experienced individuals. For family law practitioners, the findings underscore the importance of sustained post-care support, trauma-informed practice and early intervention to mitigate the long-term risks associated with childhood adversity.
