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Original poster

17 year old working

55 replies

SpongebobNoPants · 20/01/2022 16:28

DP’s eldest DD has quit her college course and is now working. She originally took her job on a part-time basis around her college course but has no decided the pay is so good she wants to quit college and do it full time. She’s done 40 hours this week (min).

A couple of questions…
1.) I thought it was compulsory to be in education or receive education until you are 18 these days? This job offers no training or education whatsoever. DP is worrying and wants her to continue her education.

2.) Does this affect her child benefit for her mum? I predict a royal kick off from her mum if she loses money, but I also think if SD is earning a full time wage then she should pay her mum some board.

3.) Is DP still legally liable to pay CM if she’s working full time? She currently earns £1200pcm which is currently all disposable income,

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Original poster
SpongebobNoPants · 20/01/2022 16:30

In relation to point 3… we’d still help out but it is a tad galling that she has far more disposable income than her dad

OP posts:
BluebellsGreenbells · 20/01/2022 16:32

www.acas.org.uk/young-workers-apprentices-and-work-experience

They shouldn’t work more than 8 hours a day and it should include training or a qualification

I think her mother will lose benifit and yes she should pay board.

I doubt her father now needs to contribute and should seek advice on this - check if there’s a court order ans what it saya

TeenPlusCat · 20/01/2022 16:33

  1. It is compulsory to have some education/training but no one will chase it up.

  2. Her Mum needs to declare her DD is no longer in full time education and the child benefit will stop. This would be the same if the DD did an apprenticeship I think.

  3. No idea on legalities (personally my gut reaction is that it shouldn't be necessary). Really the Mum should be asking for bed&board from the DD....

Original poster
SpongebobNoPants · 20/01/2022 16:35

@BluebellsGreenbells she’s working 8 hours a day but with half an hour unpaid break so technically 7.5 hours (so a normal working day).
No training… she’s working as a packer in a warehouse.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpongebobNoPants · 20/01/2022 16:37

Also no court order. CM was a private agreement in which DP has been very generous meaning his own finances have suffered dramatically… which is why I’m asking.
Sounds harsh but we struggle every month and have good paying jobs, but SD has a large sum of money to do as she wishes

OP posts:
jmh740 · 20/01/2022 16:41

If she is working mum will lose cb it won't be straight away I think it stops on 4 dates during the year so my son left education in June but cb stopped at the end of August, technically when cb stops that's when maintenance stops too.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 20/01/2022 16:44

It is the law to stay in education or training until 18 but it's highly unlikely that anyone will bother to chase it up.

Danikm151 · 20/01/2022 16:45

her parent's won't be able to claim any benefits for her.
If mom is getting housing benefit, her daughter will be expected to contribute towards the rent by the council depending on how much she earns a week(at 22 I had to pay 90%!)
Child support is usually till 18 as that's the end of education.

Original poster
SpongebobNoPants · 20/01/2022 16:45

I personally think she’s making a huge mistake. I want her to go back to college but I get no say

OP posts:
sadpapercourtesan · 20/01/2022 16:50

SHe should technically stay in education or training, but it's really common for 17yos to leave and get away with it. Nobody's checking.

I sympathise with her dad's worry, I live in fear of DS2 suddenly deciding to do this. He works far too many hours in his part-time job and loves the money, obviously. It's a total dead-end job and I desperately want him to finish his education. Realistically there would be fuck all I could do if he did decide to drop out, though, and I don't think anyone will be able to make your DSD change her mind either.

I wouldn't interfere in what she does with her money, personally. It's between her and her mother whether she pays board. Similarly the CB is an issue for them really, not you. I think your DP should continue to pay maintenance as long as she is a minor, and encourage her to save some of the money she's earning.

RoseyOldCrow · 20/01/2022 16:52

I agree with you, @spongebobnopants though accept that the relatively easy wage will (sadly) appeal to her more than learning may.

Would your DSD be persuaded to go back to college if she knew that her DF's monthly payments would otherwise stop?
Would her DM have any influence on that if she knew that the CB would stop?

Could you forecast her future earnings with / without her completing the course?

LethargicActress · 20/01/2022 16:53

In your position I think it’s fair for your DH to continue to pay CM until she’s 18 because that’s what he’d have been doing anyway. If she can’t be persuaded to back into education then as soon as she turns 18, he can stop paying, then when her Mum loses CB and maintenance, she will be motivated enough to make her dd pay board.

Original poster
SpongebobNoPants · 20/01/2022 19:09

@LethargicActress he’s really stretching himself at the moment because he pays for all her extras including phone, hair (including colour), half of all her clothes, pocket money etc. He’s thinking SD can fund these elements herself now and he’ll just pay basic CM.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpongebobNoPants · 20/01/2022 19:10

So basically cut it back but not completely. He’s overpaying CM by about £180 a month which would make a huge difference to his quality of life.

OP posts:
Ploppy1322 · 20/01/2022 19:13

My parents said they'd always support me while I was in education but once I was earning I was expectedly to pay my way. I'll do the same with my kids. If she's drawing a full time wage the CM should stop and she should pay her mum board. Good luck!

Rummikub · 20/01/2022 19:14

I’d give dd the facts about working and implications regarding child benefit and board.
16-18 year olds need to be in either education, employment or training. Otherwise classed as NEET.

RedWingBoots · 20/01/2022 19:24

Your DP doesn't have to pay maintenance as she is working and shouldn't.

Why? There needs to be short term consequences to her actions to encourage her to go back to college.

These consequences should be something like:

  1. Your DP stops paying her mum child maintenance and make sure she knows it.
  2. Her mum stops claiming child benefit
  3. Her mum claims a third to half of her salary as board
  4. She is told to pay for things like phone contracts, driving lessons etc
  5. When either your DP or her mum go out for meals or whatever with her, they ask her for an equal contribute as she is working.

Oh and in a few months time when she is 18 she is liable for council tax. That should be presented to her as a separate bill for her to pay.

misssunshine4040 · 20/01/2022 19:31

Sorry but can the girl not choose to do what she wants without all the pressure?
It's her life, she wants to work full time, good for her!!
She can return to college when she wants to if she wants.
She can work her way up or move into an even better position with the experience she is gaining.
It's not her responsibility to make sure her mum can still receive child benefits or her dad pays maintenance.
Let her get on with her life

BitcherOfBlakiven · 20/01/2022 19:32

If I had a 17YO working full time, they’d be paying board and my ex wouldn’t be paying me any more, either.

Common sense.

viques · 20/01/2022 19:33

@SpongebobNoPants

So basically cut it back but not completely. He’s overpaying CM by about £180 a month which would make a huge difference to his quality of life.
She is earning enough money to pay for the things you mention. I would expect your OH to continue to pay the amount expected until she is 18 but to stop paying immediately for extras like that. If she objects remind her that if she want to be seen as an adult then she has to start acting as an adult.
BitcherOfBlakiven · 20/01/2022 19:35

As long as she hasn’t already completed a Level 3 qualification, she can go back at any point and get the fees paid. I did it at 31 Grin Having said that, my sister went back at 19 and had to work part time as she was living in a house share by them.

Always better to do it whilst your young, but it’s a waste of time is she isn’t arsed.

Sowhatifiam · 21/01/2022 06:42

16-18 year olds need to be in either education, employment or training. Otherwise classed as NEET

She’s in employment. So not NEET.

Rummikub · 21/01/2022 07:51

That was my point ...

Original poster
SpongebobNoPants · 21/01/2022 08:00

Oh and in a few months time when she is 18 she is liable for council tax. That should be presented to her as a separate bill for her to pay

She was turned 17 only two weeks ago.

I’m just a bit disappointed to be honest. She’s seeing it as earning money (great!) but the job she’s in has no prospects or potential for progression.

She’s only been at college since the end of September and she’s messed about with her course twice, fails to turn up and generally doesn’t care about her education. I don’t care if I get flamed but we’d hoped for me for her.
She’s not the brightest spark, but was actually doing well on the college course (when she could be bothered).

I think we need to talk to her about getting her on an apprenticeship where she can work and earn, but also get some training so she’s not stuck just moving parcels from a convey belt.

OP posts:
RedWingBoots · 21/01/2022 08:04

If she is not turning up to college maybe working in the warehouse with the bills that she is now expected to pay will give her the kick up the bum she needs.

In a few months time when the novelty of work wears of she may go back to college or get an apprenticeship.