Social services Who is a care leaver?

If you have been in the care of Manchester Local Authority during your childhood, you may be entitled to support from the Leaving Care Service.  

There is guidance and law around this that explains different types of support available depending on your experience and time in care.  

The law states that you are a care leaver and entitled to the support detailed in this leaflet if you fall within one of the following categories. 

You are:   

‘Eligible’ for support if you are: 

  • currently aged 16 or 17  
  • looked after by Children’s Services for a period of 13 weeks since the age of 14  
  • currently looked after.    

‘Relevant’ for support if you: 

  • are currently aged 16 or 17  
  • were looked after by Children’s Services for a period of 13 weeks since the age of 14  
  • were looked after for a period after your 16th birthday  
  • are no longer looked after
    • If you return home to your parent(s) you will continue to receive support for six months. If you turn 18 during this six-month period, you can receive support as a ‘former relevant’ young person as a care leaver. However, if this six-month period ends before you turn 18, you will be assessed as a ‘qualifying young person’ as a care leaver.  

‘Former relevant’ for support if you: 

  • are aged between 18 and 25  
  • were previously eligible and/or relevant.    

‘Qualifying’ for support if you:  

  • are aged between 16 and 25  
  • were looked after by Children’s Services on or after your 16th birthday, and are no longer looked after  
  • spent less than 13 weeks in care since your 14th birthday, i.e. you do not fulfil the criteria for being an ‘eligible’ or ‘relevant’ child.  

The amount of financial and other support you get depends on how much you need.  

Support until you are 25 years old 

If you are under 25 years old and were previously open to the Leaving Care Team, under the Children and Social Work Act 2017, you are entitled to return for support. 

For more information, contact the Leaving Care Team or visit into the Community Hub

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