Am I a care Leaver?

We’ve put together a quick guide to checking whether you are a care leaver:

If you are still unsure about your care leaver status you can complete a quick test at: 

https://coramvoice.org.uk/young-peoples-zone/am-i-care-leaver

Eligible Child

You’re still in care so you will keep receiving that care and support until you turn 18. During this time you will also have:

  • A needs assessment

  • A Pathway Plan 

Relevant Child

As a relevant child you’re on your way to independence and so your support is slightly different, it may include:

  • A personal advisor 
  • A needs assessment
  • A Pathway Plan 
  • Support with accommodation
  • Support to help you with employment, education and training

Former Relevant Child

You’re at least 18 and the support you receive as an adult changes to reflect this, including: 

  • A Personal Advisor
  • A Pathway Plan, kept under regular review
  • Assistance with employment, education and training
  • Support while you are in higher education, including a bursary
  • Assistance with accommodation

In exceptional cases we may be able to provide some help with living costs. 

Qualifying Child

As a qualifying child, we’ll be able to: 

  • Keep in touch with you and give you advice and assistance when you need it
  • Provide or pay for accommodation during college or university holidays up to the age of 25 if you are studying full-time away from home
  • We may also be able to help you learn some basic skills for living independently and provide advice on your health

In some cases, financial support to help with the costs of finding employment, education and training.

Types of care leavers

The information in this guide applies to former relevant children. If you are any other kind of care leaver, your support will be different to former relevant care leavers.