The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

Continuing functions in respect of former relevant children N.I.

34D.—(1) Each authority shall have the duties provided for in this Article towards—

(a) a person who has been a relevant child for the purposes of Article 34B (and would be one if he were under 18), and in relation to whom that authority was the last reponsible authority; and

(b) a person who was being looked after by that authority when he attained the age of 18, and immediately before ceasing to be looked after was an eligible child,

and in this Article such a person is referred to as a "former relevant child".

(2) The authority shall take reasonable steps—

(a) to keep in touch with a former relevant child whether he is within the authority's area or not; and

(b) if the authority loses touch with him, to re-establish contact.

(3) The authority shall—

(a) continue the appointment of a personal advisor for a former relevant child; and

(b) continue to keep his pathway plan under regular review.

(4) The authority shall give a former relevant child—

(a) assistance of the kind referred to in Article 35B(1), to the extent that his welfare requires it;

(b) assistance of the kind referred to in Article 35B(2), to the extent that his welfare and his educational or training needs require it;

(c) other assistance, to the extent that his welfare requires it.

(5) The assistance given under paragraph (4)(c) may be in kind or, in exceptional circumstances, in cash.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), the duties set out in paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) subsist until the former relevant child reaches the age of 21.

(7) If the former relevant child's pathway plan sets out a programme of education or training which extends beyond his twenty-first birthday—

(a) the duty set out in paragraph (4)(b) continues to subsist for so long as the former relevant child continues to pursue that programme; and

(b) the duties set out in paragraphs (2) and (3) continue to subsist concurrently with that duty.

(8) For the purposes of paragraph (7)(a) there shall be disregarded any interruption in a former relevant child's pursuance of a programme of education or training if the authority is satisifed that he will resume it as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(9) Article 35B(5) applies in relation to a person being given assistance under paragraph (4)(b) as it applies in relation to a person to whom Article 35B(3) applies.

(10) Paragraphs (7) to (9) of Article 18 apply in relation to assistance given under this Article as they apply in relation to assistance given under Article 18.