A care leaver is a young person age 16 or over who has spent time in Local Authority Care. What you are entitled to and the type of support you will receive depends on when and for how long you were in care. When you are matched with a personal advisor, they will talk with you in more detail about what this so you understand your rights and entitlements.
Coram has lots of handy tips and information which tells you your rights and a quiz which can help you understand if you can get support. See the Coram website to see if you are a care leaver.
You can also find out more about your care leaver status on the Become website.
If you are a care leaver aged 21 to 24
You can still receive support from the leaving care team until your 25th birthday.
You do not have to leave the service when you turn 21.
If you would like support, we can continue to provide:
- a personal advisor
- a pathway plan
- help with education, work and housing
- your leaving care grant (if you have not already used it)
- university support and bursaries
- invitations to events, activities and opportunities
If you leave the service but later need help, you can contact us again at any time before you turn 25.
Even after you turn 25, you are still welcome to contact us.
If you are a care leaver over the age of 25
Although you will no longer have a personal advisor or a pathway plan, we can still:
- offer advice and guidance
- help you find other services
- listen if you need someone to talk to
- keep in touch and hear how you are doing
- invite you to share your experiences to help improve services for future care leavers
Our door is always open if you need us.