Proof of parental responsibility, ahhhh

[Hmmmm2018]

Just finally put in primary application for youngest child and now seen that they want proof of parental responsibility by a child benefit letter. Due to the changes in child benefit we have never claimed it for the youngest, so have nothing to send. We presumably are not the only people in such a position. Will obviously call the council in the morning, but would be good to hear that others were in the same situation and it is fine will help reassure me til the morning!!!

Does the birth certificate not prove your parental responsibility? That's what I had to show.

I am hoping so, but on the council website they specificaly ask for child benefit, child tax credit and some other child tax related things, none of which we claim but don't mention any other options. I'm sure it will all be fine but with deadline approaching and xmas in the middle, a panic over this was the last thing I needed!

Birth certificate is fine.

Our school asked for the same to prove our address. We didn’t have a child benefit letter (we never claimed it for DD), so I had a letter from the doctor. I’m sure there’ll be a way around it.

Thank you, is reassuring to hear that.

We did birth certificate as have never claimed any of the above

Birth certificate should be fine. Not everyone claims CB so seems a bit odd that that's the default proof. If the office staff insist on a CB letter point them to here www.gov.uk/parental-rights-responsibilities/who-has-parental-responsibility and explain that birth certificate is proof

You can claim but elect not to receive the payment. Everyone is eligible for CB (which is what the letter states) but if you earn above the threshold you will get a tax charge which will eventually negate the CB so you can elect to not receive it at all. This is what we do. Also means that the kids will automatically be issued with a NI number when 16 rather than having to apply then.

Great to see these responses, does seem really odd that they so specifically ask only for child benefit or other similar benefits as proof. But after all your prompt and positive replies I shall be able to sleep tonight without worrying until i can speak to the council in the morning (and hope i am actually able to get through to someone!)

Spoken to council and they are fine with birth certificate (but apparently there is a rule that they are not allowed to ask for the birth certificate in writing hence why not mentioned on the application forms but can ask verbally for it!!!)

I am afraid that the LA have actually given you wrong information again but I can understand their problem.
There is a need for the LA to establish proof of address where it is unclear, which is covered in paragraphs 2.4 and 2.5 of the guidance. There is a list in para 1.9 of what is not allowed to be asked for, which includes personal information about parents and family. There is however no mention, as far as I am aware, of the need to prove parental responsibility. Who has parental responsibility I accept for LAs can be an issue and the fact there is nothing in the guidance does lead to the LA asking for things like child benefit etc. In fact, in my opinion, a birth certificate does not prove current parental responsibility only that you were the parent at birth.
What the guidance actually says about birth certificates is "Once a place has been offered, admission authorities may ask for proof of birth date, but must not ask for a "long" birth certificate or other documents which would include information about the child's parents."
Given the circumstances, if you have no concern about providing a copy of the birth certificate then I would do that, even if officially it is not allowed. If you have concerns about providing a birth certificate then you will need to discuss further with the LA what they may consider other evidence of parental responsibility at the time of application.

Why not claim child benefit but opt out of payment. It protects NI credits and means your child automatically gets their National Insurance number when they turn 16.

I got the doctor to write a letter proving address, nhs no and D.O.B. It cost £15

Sure you know this but JIC it has to be the long-form birth certificate which has parents details. Supposedly not every one has this because you only get the short form as standard.

Thank you all the wise mumsnetters, great to have further updates. I wasn't too fussed about sending in the birth certificate, but do agree it doesn't really show who has the parental responsibility now. But not too bothered as at lleat LA have something they are happy with! Luckily i seem to have bought several copies of the long version originally which is a relief as the deadline for getting stuff in is not long after xmas. I am considering doing the applying the the Child benefit now, as hadn't realised it was linked to other things. We just thought there wasnt any point gettng something that we were going to have to give back anyway! Thanks for all the tips