care leaver

n. a person who has been a ward of the state but no longer qualifies for or receives any government assisstance. Subjects: English, Australia, United Kingdom, Health, Jargon

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Citations: 1989 Tim Lunn Guardian (U.K.) (Mar. 22) “A package pressed for time”: The list of young people, like care leavers and abuse victims, who can claim benefit because they live away from home is being extended to include young people who are—in the words of the DSS—"genuinely estranged from their parents.” 1995 COI’s Hermes (U.K.) (Mar. 7) “Department Of Health—John Bowis Addresses Leaving Care Conference”: Leaving care arrangements must be evolutionary over a period often of many years and links should remain for as long as a young care leaver needs them. 2004 Claire Halliday The Age (Melbourne, Australia) (July 4) “Who cares?”: Wards of the state are officially referred to as Care Leavers but the people who have been brought up this way don’t like that title. They would argue that no care was given to them at all

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Reader comments:

The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 definition states that a care Leaver is someone who has been in the Care of the Local Authority for a period of 13weeks or more spanning their 16th birthday. This then entitles them to Aftercare services until 21yrs or 24 if in full time higher education.

by Niki 09 Oct 07, 0226 GMT