Personal Allowances - Clothing and Personal Requisites


Contents

  1. Policy
  2. Key Points
  3. Different Personal Allowances
  4. Personal Allowances Procedure


1. Policy

All children and young people accommodated by East Riding of Yorkshire Council should have their personal day-to-day needs assessed and fully met. The Placement Plan will outline their assessed needs and how they will be met.


2. Key Points


2.1 On being accommodated each child/young person will be made aware of his or her personal allowances. The Children's Guide will make clear the purpose of different allowances.
2.2 Children's clothing and personal requisite needs will be fully met.
2.3 Children and young people are able to exercise choice in the clothes and personal requisites that they buy, and to buy these through normal shopping arrangements. Young people are given the choice, if applicable, of shopping alone or with guidance of staff, subject to a risk assessment where shopping alone involves significant risk.
2.4 Cultural, racial, ethnic, or religious expectations regarding choice of clothes or personal requisites are supported and positively promoted.
2.5 Young people are able to keep their clothing, personal requisites and toiletries for their own exclusive use, subject to risk assessments on particular items (e.g. aerosols and razors).
2.6 Young women will have their own supply of sanitary protection and do not have to request it from a central stock.
2.7 Staff provide, where appropriate, advice to children and young people on the use of toiletries, cosmetics and sanitary protection.
2.8 Suitable and acceptable clothing and personal requisites are bought for any child or young person who does not wish to, or is unable to, purchase their own.
2.9 Young people's money is held in a safe keeping for them and young people sign the records. There are encouraged to manage their own finances through help with budgeting and banking, and are given such freedom as possible in making decisions about their own pocket money or earnings.
2.10 The policy makes clear the purpose of different allowances, the arrangements for children and young people receiving them, reasons why they may be withheld, the monitoring of their use and how requests for special allowances should be made and decided on.


3. Different Personal Allowances


3.1

Pocket Money

  1. Each young person will receive an amount set by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The amounts vary and are dependent on their age. The pocket money is split into two and paid on a Saturday and Wednesday;
  2. Pocket money can be withheld for a period of time, but no later then when the next full pocket money allowance is due or amounts withdrawn due to behaviour e.g. reparation for damage. (Refer to Permissible Sanctions Procedure).
3.2

Birthday Allowance

  1. This is paid on or before the appropriate day. The amount is set by East Riding of Yorkshire Council;
  2. The children and young people may, at the discretion of the staff team and the Registered Manager be given an extra amount.
3.3

Christmas Allowance

  1. This is paid before the appropriate day. The amount is set by East Riding of Yorkshire Council;
  2. The children and young people may, at the discretion of the staff team and the Registered Manager be given an extra amount.
3.4

Special Occasions

The children and young people may, at the discretion of the staff team and the Registered Manager be given an extra amount to purchase, for example:

  • Cards and/or gifts for family members or friends on their Birthdays, Christmas, or if they have been unwell;
  • A special magazine, CD or video and item of clothing for exceptional achievements.
3.5

Incentives

If behaviour targets have been achieved or excelled, as part of a young person individual programme, this will be acknowledged. Young people should be able to earn extra pocket money to purchase specific items, for example: a specific activity, a special magazine, CD/ video or an item of clothing.
3.6

Independence programme

As part of a young person Independence Training, the Registered Manager or Deputy Manager will ensure that an allowance is provided in order for the young person to experience managing his/her own budget.


4. Personal Allowances Procedure

  1. As part of the admission process the staff on duty /Linkworker will begin assessing the young persons personal day to day needs in conjunction with the young person, parents/those with parental responsibility and the social worker. This should be recorded on the Placement Plan 1 and 2;
  2. The Linkworker or staff on duty will ensure the child or young person will be provided with any unmet needs e.g. clothing, footwear and toiletries;
  3. Arrangements will be made within 7 days where possible, to hold a planning meeting to assess further the young persons day-to-day needs;
  4. Prior to or on admission the Linkworker or the staff on duty will provide the young person with their own copy of Children's Guide. The staff will begin to explain its contents including allowances;
  5. The Registered Manager, Deputy Manager and Senior Care Officers must monitor and ensure each young persons needs are being met and receive the appropriate allowances.