3.12.4 Pocket Money and Allowances |
RELEVANT LEGISLATION
Sections 22 and 23, Children Act 1989
Regulations 12 and 16, Fostering Services Regulations 2011
Standard 2.7, National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2011
Regulations 14, Children’s Homes Regulations 2001
Standard 2.7, National Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes 2011
AMENDMENTS
These legislative references were updated in September 2011.
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This procedure applies to children placed in children’s homes and foster homes managed by the local authority, but the principles apply to the placement of all children in care. Therefore, where children in care are placed with parents, relatives or friends or in placements not managed by the authority, the social worker must ensure these or other adequate procedures are applied.
Contents
1. General
Arrangements must exist in all children’s homes and foster homes for the payment of pocket money and clothing or other allowances for children.
The arrangements should be set out in the Foster Care Agreement or the Placement Plan/Placement Information Record for individual children.
In the absence of such arrangements, the following must be adhered to.
2. Principles - Pocket Money
Each child should be given an amount of pocket money, usually weekly.
The giving of pocket money should be recorded and, preferably, signed for by the child.
Children should be encouraged and supported to open and maintain bank accounts and, if possible, their pocket money and other allowances should be paid into these accounts.
If there are concerns about the manner in which children are spending their money or allowances, these concerns should be discussed with the child and the child's social worker. If there is a serious risk, the arrangements for giving money to the child may have to be restricted, but the child’s social worker should make such a decision.
Deductions from pocket money may not be made for fines or sanctions except for reparation of malicious damage or to pay fines determined by a Court.
If the Court imposes such deductions or fines, not more than two thirds of a child’s pocket money may be taken in any week.
See also Behaviour Management and Sanctions Procedure.
3. Principles - Clothing and Other Allowances
Children should be informed what allowances or financial arrangements exist for the purchase of clothing, personal requisites (such as hair care products), birthdays and religious festivals.
Over time, depending on their age and level of understanding, they should be given freedom and responsibility to budget for and spend allowances for their clothing and personal requisites, preferably as part of a plan to prepare for their independence.
Even if children are not allowed to purchase clothing and other personal requisites, they should be involved in decision making and exercise choice, through normal shopping arrangements.
The arrangements for accessing and spending clothing and other allowances should be recorded.
Deductions from clothing or other allowances should not normally be made as a sanction or to pay for fines imposed by the Court.
4. Special Arrangements
If the social worker and team manager believe that any special payment is necessary or justified, for example:
- A clothing grant, for example for a new school uniform
- A special payment to support the child’s hobbies or sports activities;
- A special payment to support the child in developing useful skills, e.g. driving lessons, purchase of tools
the social worker should make a written application to the relevant Service Manager explaining the reason for the request.
End