Who is a care leaver?

The Children Leaving Care Act 2000 outlines the criteria for what it means to be a care leaver, using four descriptions: eligible, relevant, former relevant, and qualifying.

Eligible  

You are aged between 16 and 17. You have been looked after by Children’s Services for at least 13 weeks, since the age of 14 (the 13-week period does not need to be all in one go). You have been looked after for at least one day after your 16th birthday.

Relevant

Relevant children are those aged 16 and 17 who meet the criteria for eligible children but who leave care before their 18th birthday.

Former relevant

You are a Former Relevant child if you are 18+ and were previously ‘Eligible’ or ‘Relevant’.

Qualifying

You will be a Qualifying care leaver if you are aged between 16 to 25 or you were looked after by Children’s Services for a period of time between your 16th and 18th birthday.