42.Section 23C sets out the duties of the responsible authority towards a former relevant child.
43.Subsection (1) defines a former relevant child as one who qualified for the new arrangements for support under this Act either as an eligible or as a relevant child. Subsection (2) provides that that the responsible authority must continue to keep in touch with a former relevant child. Subsection (3) requires the responsible authority to provide him with his personal adviser and his pathway plan
44.Subsection (4) imposes a duty on the responsible authority to assist a former relevant child (a) with the expenses associated with employment; (b) with the expenses associated with education and training; and (c) to provide him with general assistance. Subsection (5) provides that the assistance provided under subsection 23C(4)(c) can be given in kind or, exceptionally, in cash. In each case the duty is to provide assistance to the extent that the young person’s welfare (or, where relevant, his educational or training needs) requires it.
45.Subsection (6) provides that these duties normally apply until the former relevant child’s 21st birthday. However, subsection (7) provides that if a former relevant child is being assisted with education or training pursuant to his pathway plan, the duty to assist him with it lasts to the end of the agreed programme of education or training, even if it runs beyond the young person’s 21st birthday. The duties to keep in touch and to provide a personal adviser and to review the pathway plan also extend to the end of the programme.
46.Subsection (8) requires the responsible authority to disregard any interruption in the young person’s attendance on a course provided that he resumes it as soon as is reasonable. Subsection (9) requires the responsible authority to provide vacation accommodation, or funds to secure it, for a former relevant child whom they are assisting with full-time higher education under subsection (4)(b), should this be necessary.
47.Subsection (10) has the same effect as section 23B(12).
Commentary on Sections Section 23C