HC Deb 15 March 2004 vol 419 c84W
Charles Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what(a) financial and (b) other support services are available to a young person between 16 and 18-years-old who has been refused a home by his or her funnily but has not been made ward of court. [155642]

Margaret Hodge

The information is as follows.

Financial assistance available to 16 to 18-year-olds

Financial assistance is available to young people aged 16 or over but under 19, who are undertaking full time non-advanced education, and out of necessity have to live away from their parents or any person acting as their parents because: They are estranged from their parents or that person(s) acting as their parents They are in physical or moral danger: or There is a serious risk to his physical or mental health. They have ceased to live, in accommodation provided for them by a local authority (Part III of the Children Act 1989) and are living away from their parents or persons acting as their parents

Their parent is unable to financially support them and are either chronically sick, mentally ill, detained in custody or prevented from entering or re-entering Great Britain they will be entitled to income support.

The rule is that young people must be in full time non-advanced education. If they are not and do not satisfy any other condition of entitlement, they must claim job seekers allowance if they need benefit.

Other support service provision for 16 to 17-year-olds

Local authority social service departments have a range of powers and duties under the Children Act 1989 to provide services for children in need (0 to 18-years-old) in their area.

A general duty is placed on local authorities by section 17 of the Children Act 1989 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under 18 in their area who are in need by providing a range of services appropriate to meeting those needs. The definition of a child in need is set out in section 17(10) of the Act, which applies to all children, regardless of whether or not they reside with their family.

There is also a duty under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 to provide accommodation for children in need if necessary.