3.2.3 Financial Assistance to Children in Need |
RELATED CHAPTERS
This chapter should be read in conjunction with the Supporting Children who are not living with their Parents Procedure
Contents
1. Types of Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for children in need can be provided under section 17 or section 18 of the Children Act 1989 following an Initial Assessment or Core Assessment.
The categories of payment, which may be considered, are:
- Subsistence crisis (one-off) payments.
These should be exceptional and used to overcome a crisis, following the best assessment that can be achieved in the circumstances. - Equipment and clothing:
These are for such items as clothing, furniture, bedding or safety equipment, which will enable the child to continue to live safely at home. The social worker should provide payment to the supplier.
Assistance may be given subject to conditions, including repayment in certain situations. However, in most situations, it will be inappropriate for the Department to seek to recover money provided under these circumstances. - Travelling expenses.
- Payment of day care charges
For example; after school clubs, play schemes or childminders.
For payments to relatives caring for children, see Relative Carers and Allowances Procedure.
For payments to those holding a Residence Order, see Residence Order Allowances Procedure.
2. Criteria for Financial Assistance
The following criteria should be applied to all payments:
- The purpose of the payments must be to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child.
- A worker should be actively involved with the family at least for the duration of the payments.
- There are no other legitimate sources of finance, for example from the Benefits Agency or a charity. If theft is alleged, a crime number should be provided.
- Wherever possible, payments will be paid to the supplier or provider of services, not the parents.
3. Approval of Financial Assistance
Arrangements for financial assistance must be included in a Child in Need Plan but no commitments can be made until the approval of the appropriate manager has been obtained.
Payments can be authorised up to the financial limits agreed from time to time (see list of delegated financial responsibilities).
When deciding which level of delegated authority is required, cumulative costs over a financial year must be taken into account.
Requests for approval up to £100 should be signed by the social worker’s team manager and submitted to the appropriate manager on Form CH6. Requests for approval of £101 to £5000 should be submitted on a Budget Report Form, signed by the social worker and team manager. Requests for over £5000 should be submitted on a Delegated Powers Report, signed by the social worker, team manager and Group Service Manager.
Before payment is made, a Form IAR should be completed and, in the case of financial assistance for day care support, a financial assessment should be undertaken.
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