Eligible child
If you are aged 16 or 17 and you have been in care for 13 weeks or more (this does not have to be a 13 weeks all at once. It can be several periods where you have been looked after). The 13 weeks has to have started after you reached 14 years of age and ended after you reached the age of 16.
Children’s services are required to support you and you should have a personal advisor (PA). Your PA or social worker must complete an assessment of your needs, in areas such as housing, education and finances. When this has been agreed, with your input, they must write a pathway plan with you, setting out how you will receive the support.
Relevant child
If you are aged 16 or 17, were in care for more than 13 weeks after your 14th birthday and left care on or after your 16th birthday, the law says you are a relevant child.
Children’s services are required to support you and you should have a personal advisor (PA). Your PA or social worker must complete an assessment of your needs, in areas such as housing, education and finances. When this has been agreed, with your input, they must write a pathway plan with you, setting out how you will receive the support.
Former relevant child
If you are aged 18 to 25 and were in care for more than 13 weeks after your 14th birthday, and you were still in care on your 16th birthday, the law says you are a former relevant child.
You should have a personal advisor (PA) and pathway plan, and receive support with your housing, education, and related expenses.
Qualifying care leaver
If you are aged 18 to 25 and spent time in care after your 16th birthday, but have been in care for less than 13 weeks in total since your 14th birthday, the law says you are a qualifying care leaver.
You will not have a pathway plan or personal advisor, but you are entitled to advice and assistance from the local authority’s leaving care service. They can support you with your education, such as study expenses and accommodation during the holidays, and can help you with your housing and health in exceptional circumstances.
Been on remand to a secure establishment
When a person under the age of 18 is remanded to youth detention accommodation they become one of our children under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989. If you have served a period of time on remand you could be classed as an eligible, relevant or qualifying child. Check out the criteria above.
Separated children and young people
If you are a child under the age of 18 who has travelled to the UK for safety or a better life then you will become one of our children under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989, you could be classed as an eligible, relevant or qualifying child. Check out the criteria above.
Coram Voice has a very useful tool for working out if you are a care leaver, and what support you are entitled to.