If you were in the care of Hartlepool Local Authority during your childhood, you may be entitled to support from the Leaving Care Service.
The law sets out different types of support depending on your experience and time in care. You are a care leaver if you fall into one of the following categories:
Eligible for support if you are:
- are aged 16 or 17
- have been looked after by Children’s Services for at least 13 weeks since age 14
- are currently looked after
Relevant for support if you:
- are aged 16 or 17
- were looked after for at least 13 weeks since age 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 period, you can recieve support as a 'former relevant' care leaver
- If the six-month period ends before you turn 18, you will be assessed as a 'qualifying young person' care leaver
Former relevant
You are former relevant if you:
- are aged 18 to 25
- were previously eligible and/or relevant
Qualifying
You are qualifying if you:
- are aged 16 to 25
- were looked after by Children's Services on or after your 16th birthday, and are no longer looked after
- do not meet the criteria for eligible or relevant - i.e. you do not fulfil the criteria for being an ‘eligible’ or ‘relevant’ child
Support until age 25
Under the Children and Social Work Act 2017, if you are under 25 and were previously open to the Leaving Care Team, you can return for support.
From 1 April 2018, the law allows former relevant care leavers aged 21 to 25 to receive Personal Advisor support if needed.
You may also access the Setting Up Home Allowance for essential items if you have not used the full amount. This is available until your 25th birthday.
As a Care Leaver you may be exempt from Council Tax until you are 25, if you are living in your own property and a Former Relevant Care Leaver.
Other financial support from the Leaving Care team, is generally not available to these young people, unless they have exceptional circumstances.