National Child Reviews

Sara Sharif

Sara was found dead at the family home in August 2023, and her father and stepmother were convicted of her murder in December 2024. Her uncle who was living with her family at the time also failed to protect her and was convicted of causing or allowing her death. Although the focus of this summary document is learning for the safeguarding system, it is important that an understanding of Sara’s life and the circumstances leading up to her death remain at the heart of this review. The full review report provides more detailed information, clarifying what happened to Sara throughout her short life, and how ultimately, she was brutally murdered by those who had been expected to love and care for her.

Read the full report here.

‘You really are on your own’

This review, completed by Ashley John-Baptiste and Clare Chamberlain, aims to understand the circumstances surrounding care leaver deaths and identify lessons for policy and practice to help prevent future deaths.

It examines all care leaver death notifications in 2025, identifying key themes and selecting representative young people for more detailed exploration.

The report presents the stories of 6 young people, ages 18 to 24, whose circumstances illustrate the main themes and patterns identified through the review:

  • young people in custody in adult prisons

  • young women who had experienced the removal of their own children

  • suicides of young people going through transgender transitions

  • young people seeking asylum

  • young people murdered

  • young people who died from medical conditions

The report identifies 3 key learning themes:

  • being alone and readiness for adulthood

  • the drop in levels of support

  • workforce to help young people make the transition to adulthood

It identifies 5 broad areas for change:

  • workforce

  • improved support and awareness for those in custody

  • supported accommodation for young people leaving care

  • health services for those with medical conditions

  • lessons learned following the death of a young person

Read the full report here.