Young People’s allowances (Pocket money, allowances and activities)
We agree each financial year on the amount of money young people receive weekly for pocket money, toiletries and clothing. This is to ensure that the amount is realistic.
These arrangements are outlined in the Statement of Purpose and summarised in the Children's Guide. At the admission of a young person, we agree the arrangement for individual young persons’ allowance in their Placement Plan.
Pocket Money
Having pocket money is good for the child/young person. It gives a sense of independence and a measure of choice in making decisions about how the money is spent
Receiving pocket money helps children understand the value of money and is the start of developing budgeting skills
Each young person will be given their pocket money once a week, after the young person has cleaned their bedroom and has completed their chore. We do not give advance pocket money.
Pocket money is recorded by staff on duty and signed for by the young person.
We encouraged and support young people to open and maintain bank accounts and, if possible, to save a portion of their pocket money into their bank accounts.
If there are concerns about the manner in which young people spend their money or allowances, these concerns should be discussed with the young person and the social worker, if the concern is of serious risk, the arrangements for giving money to the young person could be reviewed example the young person could be supported with supervised spending of the pocket money.
Deductions from pocket money will not be made as fine for inappropriate behaviours but for reparation of malicious damage or to pay fines determined by a Court in that case not more than two thirds of a child's pocket money may be taken in any week.
If the staff team impose such deductions for reparation in the home, not more than two thirds of a child's pocket money may be taken in any week.
Clothing and Other Allowances
Young people are informed of their allowances for 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.
When young people are supported to purchase clothing and other personal requisites, they should be involved in decision making and exercise choice with realistic guide from staff.
The arrangements for accessing and spending clothing and other allowances should be recorded. Where allowances are given directly to young people, they should sign for them.
Deductions from clothing or other allowances should not normally be made as a sanction or to pay for fines imposed by the Court.
Young people will also be given weekly mobile phone credit to ensure that they are able to maintain contact with the home and other professionals involved in their care as well as their families when they are out of the home.
We ensure that young people have clean and well groomed appearance hence we provide them with periodic hair care money. This is discussed and accessed through link session discussion.
Activities
We encourage positive activities and would support any activity that a young person is already engaged in before moving into MC. We will arrange activities for the group, small groups or individuals.
Young people are encouraged to make activities suggestions in house meeting or in individual Link sessions.