Odd situation, advice please.

[Dawndonnaagain]

One of dds friend left home. She is doing A levels and had good reasons for going which I don't want to go into here.
Anyway, she's here. Her social worker has approved this. She's put on some weight and looks so much better than when she arrived three weeks ago. We're happy to have her. However, we don't get any money for her (she's 16), and things add up. I don't know whether or not she should have the same pocket money as my dds, I guess she would, but that's a hundred a month which is stretching things a little. I don't want to put her in the situation where she constantly has to ask for things though. With the dds, their pocket money buys their clothes, make-up, going out. I buy all basics - deodorant, sanpro, underwear, shampoo etc. Happy to do that, but are we able to demand at least her family allowance to cover some of this.
All help and advice appreciated, thank you.

Www.gov.uk

Section on child benefit- there is a whole section on if your child lives with someone else.

Also it says "you must contact the child benefit office if your circumstances change" and " you will usually be responsible for a child if you live with them or you are paying towards looking after them.

If you are looking after someone else's child you may be able to get child benefit".

It's called a Private Fostering a Agreement...

Sorry try again

It's called a Private Fostering Agreement - if the arrangement lasts 28days or more and you are not a family member then you should inform SS (which you have done)

Here's more information

www.privatefostering.org.uk

This is becoming more well known about but it hasn't been in the past. Have a google re the benefit situation - I think it depends on the length of time they are staying

As she is 16 private fostering isn't relevant.

She can claim income support as a young person who is estranged and in education. SS should be able to advise you or a YP advisor in the jobcentre

As she is under 18 SS ought to be supporting her financially as she is a LAC.

They have recently raised this age to 21 for foster children www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25201336 so you should be able to get financial help for her (twas in the Big Issue today too).

www.gov.uk/government/news/children-to-stay-with-foster-families-until-21

Funding is via the local authority, so her social worker should know.

I don't know the ins and outs of this but she may not be able to get some of the benefits (setting up home allowance etc) when she needs them if it's a private arrangement so you could do with checking this.

HTH. It's a wonderful thing you're doing.

Supported Lodgings has been available for 18-21 year olds for quite a few years, so I don't know why the govt is acting as though it's a new thing! The issue is that there aren't enough foster carers who will take over 18s as they get less money.

She ought to get an Income Support equivalent from SS as she is under 18.