The support you get from Lambeth Council depends on your age and how long you have been in care.
If you are not sure which group you belong to, contact the Lambeth 16+ Independence Service on 020 7926 6315.
Eligible care leavers
You are an eligible care leaver if:
- you are aged 16 or 17
- you are currently looked after by a local authority
- you have been looked after for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14, including a period of care after your 16th birthday
Support you get: You are entitled to a needs assessment, a pathway plan, and support to prepare for adulthood and independence.
Relevant care leavers
You are a relevant care leaver if:
- you are aged 16 or 17
- you are no longer looked after by a local authority
- you were previously looked after for at least 13 weeks after your 14th birthday, including a period of care after your 16th birthday
Support you get: You remain entitled to support from your responsible local authority, including a personal adviser, a pathway plan, accommodation support, and assistance with education, training, and employment.
Former relevant care leavers
You are a former relevant care leaver if:
- you are aged 18 to 25
- you were previously an eligible child or relevant child when aged 16 or 17
Support you get: You are entitled to ongoing support from your local authority up to the age of 25. This includes a personal adviser, pathway plan reviews, and assistance with education, training, employment, accommodation, and welfare needs.
Qualifying care leavers
You are a qualifying child if you were in care for fewer than 13 weeks, and you are:
- aged 16 to 20 (if you are not in education or training), or
- aged 16 to 24 (if you are in education or training)
You may also be a qualifying child if you:
- were looked after immediately before a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) was made
- were privately fostered at age 16 or 17
- left care on or after your 16th birthday and were looked after for less than 13 weeks since your 14th birthday
- were a relevant child who returned home for 6 months or more
If you are unsure whether you qualify, please contact the Lambeth 16+ Independence Service on 020 7926 6315.
Support you get: Find out what financial support and advice you are entitled to in our guide to financial help for qualifying care leavers.
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
If you came into care as an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child, please discuss with your allocated worker what support you could receive.