Any chance to pass foster checks

[braveheart2020]

I've got the following on my record (to tell social worker):-

-verbal harassment conviction against an adult neighbour expired
-6 defaults against banks, never been bankrupt
-Unstable employment history due to health and caring responsibilities mainley been on benefits last 5 years. Employed for 1 year.
-Previous dispute against social services claiming i refuse to engage in services. Now case closed.
-Diagnosed with tinnitus - minor issue/managable
-No contact details of ex/got divorce certificate
-Income of £400 per month cash in hand
-Savings of £15,040 and some spare change
-Currently giving 25 hours care per week to an autistic individual cash in hand.

Any point in applying?

When you say cash in hand do you mean self employed and declaring it to the HMRC or not declaring it?

I do not have a legal contract so do not need to declare it just like a private taxi driver or window cleaner or nanny.

You do need to declare it because any income you earn has to be declared for tax purposes, even if you don't earn enough to pay tax you still need to fill out a self assessment for cash in hand work. You need to seek advice on rectifying this.

@braveheart2020

I do not have a legal contract so do not need to declare it just like a private taxi driver or window cleaner or nanny.

If you have income of more than £1000 a year you need to register as self employed.

If you earn over the thresholds you will need to pay tax and NI

Having a "legal contact" or not is not relevant.

Not sure why you think a taxi driver and nanny don't have to pay tax?

Hi OP think you slightly misunderstand "cash in hand".

All workers receiving cash payments are under a legal obligation to disclose their earnings to HMRC and say whether they are liable for income tax.

When someone says they will pay you cash in hand, what they are actually suggesting is they pay you less than the normal going rate, as you will be (illegally) avoiding paying tax.

You also have to declare savings of that amount.

@braveheart2020

I do not have a legal contract so do not need to declare it just like a private taxi driver or window cleaner or nanny.

This is not how it works.

Op what is your motivation for wanting to foster?

What makes you want to foster? (Is it to do withyour own family?)

If you're still claiming benefits and working, you're breaking the law. If you're not declaring income you're breaking the law. The harassment with the neighbour, it probably depends on length of time ago, how repentant you are and the circumstances. To get a harassment conviction is pretty serious though. As is not engaging with SS.

SS probably aren't going to be keen on this phrase "social services claiming i refuse to engage in services" which implies you don't trust SS and believe they lie. Did you refuse to engage?

Taking cash from an autistic person without any contract or service overseeing it certainly doesn’t stand you in good stead.

@Teapotsandtablecloths

You do need to declare it because any income you earn has to be declared for tax purposes, even if you don't earn enough to pay tax you still need to fill out a self assessment for cash in hand work. You need to seek advice on rectifying this.

Show me where you have to declare cash in hand income?

Theres hundreds of people that earn income through buying and selling items at car boot sales/carers that work unofficially and dont pay tax because its little income. A couple of hundred pounds per month. Even online sellers.

I know plenty of taxi drivers and none of them pay tax thats why they do it.

If your income is more than £1,000, you will need to register with HMRC and fill in a Self Assessment Tax Return.

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/tax-and-national-insurance-when-youre-self-employed

I pay enough tax through buying products the government secretly tax every product without informing buyers. Just like VAT.

You're only being paid £4 an hour?

@braveheart2020

I know plenty of taxi drivers and none of them pay tax thats why they do it.

Then they are also breaking the law.

I hope not

No

I don't think VAT is a secret? I'm pretty clear I pay tax on products, and even more on wine etc. There's no secret there.

*caveat - they may not be if they earn less than £12,500 (unlikely tbh) BUT they must fill in a tax return, which you apparently do not do as you don’t declare income.

As for why the op wants to do it

I think a precious post of the OP on another thread clarifies

Just recently read about a court case that a couple were deemed council employees and not self employed foster carers. Done more research and foster carers is not some side job like a regular carer, but actually deemed as a professional parent or child expert. I seen some of the salaries they earn in excess of £50k to take care of children of special needs?

@braveheart2020

I know plenty of taxi drivers and none of them pay tax thats why they do it.

They may declare their earnings to be below the tax threshold but they absolutely will be filing tax returns. Under my licensing authority you cannot get a taxi driver or private hire driver license without giving your UTR (unique tax reference number, from HMRC). It's a condition of the license that you are indeed registered as self employed and this filing a tax return.

@braveheart2020

I pay enough tax through buying products the government secretly tax every product without informing buyers. Just like VAT.

I would forget fostering tbh. Your intellect doesn't seem quite what they will be looking for.

Well, the point is that it's not for you to decide whether you do or don't 'pay enough tax already'. You fill out the forms and let them tell you, then pay the bill.

So based on that alone, I'm not sure you're mature enough to enter the complex world of foster care, back history aside.that also doesn't shine you in a very good light.

What's your motivation and what can you offer a child in need?