Councils should be required to plan for vulnerable young people’s transition to adulthood, charity says as it warns ‘children in need’ are being abandoned once they turn 18.

The Children’s Society found that help is too often falling short for many of the 58,000 children aged 16 and 17 who are not in care but are designated as ‘children in need’ by councils.

The charity’s new report, Crumbling Futures, found support often disappears completely when they turn 18 because in most cases there is no statutory requirement for councils to offer young adults support.

This is despite the fact that problems experienced by 16-17-year-olds, such as child sexual exploitation and mental health issues, often persist when they turn 18.

Data supplied by councils responding to The Children’s Society’s Freedom of Information (FOI) requests showed nearly four in 10 child in need plans for 16-17-year-olds last for less than three months.

It also revealed less than 3% of closed cases involving 16- and 17-year-olds were transferred to adult services.

The Children’s Society has called for the Government to broaden its newly announced review of support for children in need and to consider how 16-17-year-olds can be better supported into adult life.

It insisted councils should be required to plan for young people’s transition to adulthood and to address their health, housing, employment and safeguarding needs, as well as their education and skills.

The charity also suggested the Government should consider extending these key services to the age of 25.

‘Approaching adulthood can be a difficult, awkward, time for many teenagers, but it can be even tougher if young people don’t get the help they need to deal with serious issues in their lives,’ said Matthew Reed, chief executive at The Children’s Society.

‘Help for vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds who are not in care too often falls short then disappears from the age of 18 as they continue to struggle with issues including mental health, sexual exploitation, poverty and homelessness.

‘The Children’s Society wants to see better support for children in need as they prepare for adulthood and a comprehensive package of help after they turn 18 - with councils given the additional money they need to deliver this.

‘Only then will more young people get the vital support they need to ensure problems arising from their childhood are addressed and do not blight their chances of thriving in the future.’