Care leavers

1. Who is a care leaver?

The Law states that you are a Care Leaver, and entitled to the support detailed on these pages, if you fall into one of the following categories:

Eligible

  • Aged 16 or 17
  • Looked after by Children’s Services for a period of 13 weeks since the age of 14 – with some of the 13 weeks being after your 16th birthday
  •  Currently looked after

Relevant

  • 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 your 16th birthday
  • No longer looked after

If you have returned home to your parent(s), you will continue to receive support for a period of six months.

If you turn 18 during this six-month period, you can receive support as a ‘former relevant’ young person.

If this six-month period ends before you turn 18, you will be assessed as a ‘qualifying young person’.

Former Relevant

  • Aged between 18 and 25
  • Previously eligible and/or relevant

Qualifying

  • You are at least 16 but under 25 and:
  • You were looked after immediately prior to the making of a Special Guardianship Order which was in force when you reached 18; or
  •  If at any time after you reach the age of 16, you are no longer looked after, accommodated, or fostered; or
  • You were privately fostered and assessed to be in need

As a Qualifying Care Leaver, you can access advice and assistance based on a needs assessment completed by the  After Care Team.

Any financial assistance is dependent upon this assessment of need.

Support until you are 25 years old

If you are under 25 years old and have previously had a service from the After Care Team, under the Children and Social Act 2017, you are entitled to return for support.

For more information, contact the AfterCare Team:

You can find out more about your legal rights here: