You are a care leaver if:
- you are under 25 years old;
- and have spent time in care as a child or young person.
What support you get depends on your age, circumstances and the category you are in using the guide below.
For full automatically support, you must have been in care for 13 weeks between the ages of 14 to 16.
If you are not sure what support you can get:
If you are over 16 and leaving care, you will be in one of these categories:
| Category |
To qualify |
What you can get |
|
Eligible Child
Schedule 2, Paragraph 19B CA 1989
|
- Aged 16 or 17.
- Looked after by children's services for a period of 13 weeks since the age of 14.
- Currently looked after.
|
- Personal Advisor.
- Needs Assessment.
- Pathway Plan.
- All the care and support they normally receive until they leave care.
|
|
Relevant Child
Section 23A CA 1989
Section 23B CA 1989
|
- Aged 16 or 17.
- Looked after by children's services for a period of 13 weeks since the age of 14.
- Looked after for a period of time after their 16th birthday.
- No longer looked after.
|
- Personal Advisor.
- Needs Assessment.
- Pathway Plan.
- Accommodation and maintenance.
- Financial support to meet education, training and employment needs.
|
|
Former Relevant Child
Section 23C CA 1989
Section 23CZA CA 1989
Section 23CA CA 1989
|
- Aged between 18 and 25.
- Previously an eligible child and/or a relevant child.
|
- Personal Advisor.
- Pathway Plan, kept under regular review.
- Assistance with employment, education and training.
- Assistance with accommodation.
- Help with living costs.
|
|
Qualifying Care Leaver
Section 24 CA 1989
|
- Aged between 16 and 25.
- Looked after by children's services on (or after) their 16th birthday and no longer looked after.
- Spent less than 13 weeks in care since 14th birthday. (For example, do not fulfil criteria for eligible or relevant child.)
|
- Help with living expenses and if they are in higher education they may also help with securing vacation accommodation.
- Advice and assistance from Children's Services, which may, be in cash.
|
