4.5.6 Pocket Money |
Contents
1. Eligibility for Pocket Money
Children and young people who are ‘looked after’ by the Local Authority for at least a week are entitled to pocket money. Therefore Children’s services aims to ensure that they receive a reasonable amount and at regular intervals.
Children and young people are entitled to the payment of pocket money from the age of 5 years. The amount of pocket money that each child and young person is entitled to is clearly outlined in the both the Fostering and Allowances Sheet (this is issued to all carers in April) and in the guidance issued to Residential Units; the amount entitlement will vary dependent upon the age of the child or young person.
2. Arrangements for Payment of Pocket Money
2.1 Children and Young People in Foster Care
The minimum recommendations/rates for pocket money and savings are included in the Fostering and Allowances Sheet, which is sent out to all carers in April.
Each child or young person should be given an amount of pocket money that is in line with the agreed amount according to his or her age.
As a minimum pocket money should be provided to a child or young person on a weekly basis. The details of the amount to be paid and the frequency should be detailed in the Placement Information Record, following agreement between the young person and their carers.
The amount of pocket money paid should be recorded and preferably signed for by the young person; the Record of pocket monies and savings sheet is available from the fostering team.
On reaching an age whereby the rate of pocket money entitlement increases, the change in entitlement should be implemented in the first week following the young person’s birthday.
2.2 Children and Young People in Residential Care
The minimum recommendations/rates for pocket money and savings are available to each unit.
Each child or young person should be given an amount of pocket money that is in line with the agreed amount according to his or her age
As a minimum pocket money should be provided to a child or young person on a weekly basis. The details of the amount to be paid and the frequency should be detailed in the Placement Information Record.
If a young person accumulates a sum of pocket money they should be offered the opportunity to have it safeguarded in the safe at the unit. However, wherever possible and for larger sums of money the young person should be supported and encouraged to open a savings account.
In general individual members of staff should not hold cash sums of money on behalf of young people, except for very short periods of time, i.e. swimming or another activity.
On reaching an age whereby the rate of pocket money entitlement increases, the change in entitlement should be implemented in the first week following the young person’s birthday.
3. Withholding or the Sanctioning of Pocket Money
Pocket money should not be withheld as a sanction. It can be withheld to pay for specific damage caused or to pay fines determined by a court; this should clearly be recorded either in the case file at the residential unit or in the case of foster care on the Record of pocket monies and savings sheet which is available from the fostering team. It may also be withheld to repay money which has been misappropriated, i.e. originally provided for public transport, clothing etc. No more than 50% can be withheld and only for up to four weeks.
If the withholding of pocket money is to form part of a behaviour management plan, this must be agreed with the young person, their social worker and carers; it must also be clearly recorded as part of the Placement Information Record or behaviour management plan. Both documents should also clearly outline as to how the withheld money will be reissued, i.e. delayed payment or placed into the young person’s savings account.
4. Supervising the Spending of Pocket Money
Should there be concerns regarding the manner in which a child or young person is spending their money, these concerns should first be discussed with the child or young person taking into account their age and level of understanding. If there is a serious risk, the arrangements for giving money to the child or young person may have to be restricted, i.e. they are accompanied by an adult when spending their money; however the child’s social worker must be consulted in terms of any such decisions and the outcome of the decision made and a date for reviewing this must be agreed and appropriately recorded.
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