To think that it is not sensible to hand over £180 to a 14 year old every month as allowance/savings

[LaurieFairyCake]

They have recently updated the fostering guidelines which now state I MUST give this to foster dd to save/spend on clothes/spend on mobile phones.

Before this I saved some for her, gave her pocket money which doubled if she saved it and put £10 a month on her mobile - I also bought all her clothes using the allowance and if there was any left over (there very rarely is) then I gave it to her. I also used that money to pay for her activities - dancing/scouts/holidays etc.

I think it's bonkers to hand that much over to a 14 year old - and expect her to manage it correctly and buy school shoes when she needs them and save her clothing allowance for uniform and pay her £200 quid a term dance fees - why would anyone do that?

skinny you are very sensible.

A lot of vulnerable young people would just get taken advantage of by 'mates' if they were known to have access to money.

All foster carers should apply guidelines in a way that is appropriate to the yp's needs and abilities in agreement with the social worker. There should never be a 'one size fits all' policy. I'm shocked that any local authority would think it suitable to impose one.

We have some yps who budget all their allowances and some who get the bare minimum in cash. Because everyone is different.

Maybe you should do it with her on paper each month, get a composition book and use a page each month.
Starting amount, Then list activities and and savings and deduct from the amount, so she sees where the money goes. Also list a small amount of cash each week that she is given some.
Move the balance over each month and that way if theres anything left it can be used towards school shoes etc.
I only fostered infants no pocket money to give, although I had to save reciepts from their clothing and supplies (not from nappies) to show what they had and fill out clothing and other belongings on a form every 6 months.