Qualifying Children

4. Are you a Qualifying Child?

Qualifying Children are young people who:

• Left care on or after their 16^th birthday but were looked after for less than 13 weeks after their 14^th birthday;
• Have a special guardianship order or were on a special guardianship order when they reached 18 years old;
• Were classed as a Looked after child before the order was created;
• Were classed as a Relevant Child (lived back at home for six months or longer)

Children's Services MUST support you by:

• Providing advice and support;
• Providing or paying for your accommodation while you are on college or university holidays.  This is only available if you are a full time student away from home up to the age of 25;
• Keeping in touch

Children's Services MIGHT support you by:

• Giving you a grant that helps you pay for any costs linked to your education, training and work needs up to the age of 25;
• Helping with some living costs if linked to your education and training, up to the age of 25;
• Buying items you need if your welfare and education requires it;
• Helping you find somewhere to live (only in exceptional circumstances)