Guidance
Care leaver status: criteria
Updated 30 September 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-housing-protocols-for-care-leavers/care-leaver-status-criteria
| Care Leaver Status | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Eligible Child | - aged 16 or 17 - in care or looked after by a local authority - looked after for at least 13 weeks The 13 weeks must: - have started after the young person’s 14th birthday - include some time after the young person’s 16th birthday |
| Relevant Child | - aged 16 or 17 - no longer in care or looked after by a local authority - looked after for at least 13 weeks The 13 weeks must: - have started after the young person’s 14th birthday - include some time after the young person’s 16th birthday |
| Former Relevant Child | - aged 18 to 25 When aged 16 or 17, the young person’s status was either: - relevant child - eligible child |
| Person Qualifying for Advice and Assistance | - aged 16 to 20 - looked after by a local authority immediately before a Special Guardianship Order was made, where that order is still in place or was in place on the young person’s 18th birthday - looked after at some point between the ages of 16 and 18 but no longer looked after |