Am I a Care Leaver

You may hear people talk about 13 weeks in care.

For many care leaver rights, you need to have spent at least 13 weeks in care since your 14th birthday, including some time after you turned 16.

The 13 weeks do not have to be all at once. Different periods in care can be added together.

You may be called Eligible if:

• You are 16 or 17.

• You are still in care.

• You have spent at least 13 weeks in care since you turned 14.

• Some of that time was after you turned 16.

You should get help to start planning for your future.

This includes having a Pathway Plan that looks at the support you may need as you get older.

You may be called Relevant if:

• You are 16 or 17.

• You have left care.

• You spent at least 13 weeks in care since turning 14.

• You were still in care for some time after turning 16.

Children's Services still has a responsibility to support you.

If you met the rules above when you were younger, you may be called a Former Relevant Child once you turn 18.

This means you can continue to get support as you move into adult life.

Depending on your circumstances, this could include help with:

• Housing and living independently

• Money and managing your finances

• Education, training and work

• Your health and wellbeing

• Planning for your future

You should also have a Personal Adviser and a Pathway Plan.

You may still be entitled to some support.

You might hear the term Qualifying Care Leaver.

The support available can be different, but you may still be able to get advice and help from Children's Services.

Don't assume that a short time in care means you can't get support. Ask us to check.

That's okay.

You are not expected to work out your legal status by yourself.

Ask your Social Worker, Personal Adviser or Leaving Care Team:

“Am I a care leaver, and what support am I entitled to?”

They can check your care history and explain what applies to you.

You can also use Coram Voice's Am I a Care Leaver? tool to help understand your rights.