6.20 Pocket Money
|
Last Modified:
18-Jul-2023
Review Date:
N/A
|
|
|
| Purpose |
To provide information about the provision of
pocket money to children in residential care. |
| Practice Requirements |
A Child in Care, in placement with Residential Care, similar to Foster Care and other care arrangements, is entitled to receive Pocket Money. This applies to all children aged 15 years and under. It must be paid to children and young people in residential care as part of the regular routine of the house. Information about payment of pocket money is to be openly communicated in welcome and admission information for children and young people. Pocket money is paid from petty cash. As a District payment, it is costed back via the child's ID number and District cost centre. This should be confirmed at the Residential Care Plan and reviews. The pocket money amount is linked to the current foster carer subsidy rate for 13-15 year olds. It is $10 per week for all children in residential care aged 15 years and under. There is no discretion for Residential Care staff to increase or decrease this amount. Children who are 16-17 years old are entitled to receipt of a Centrelink benefit and should only be paid pocket money in exceptional circumstances with approval from the case manager. Pocket Money cannot be withheld. This includes action as a fine, sanction or consequence. If there are evidence based concerns that pocket money will be used for an illicit or unsafe activity (forming a breach of duty of care), staff can provide age appropriate guidance to the child on how pocket money is spent with the agreement of case managers. |
Procedures- Payment
- Storage and Recording
Payment- Children and young people are eligible for the full week's pocket money payment, regardless of their date of admission to the Residential Care home.
- Children who regularly abscond or otherwise remain listed as a reported absconder, remain eligible for payment whilst they remain a resident of the Residential Care home.
- Pocket money ceases when receipt of Centrelink benefits commences.
- Pocket Money re-commences if Centrelink benefits are suspended.
- Pocket money ceases when a child is detained in Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
- Splitting the house payment routine across two days per week is optional tomanage frequent turnover of population to increase likelihood of children receiving some pocket money; and/or to reduce potential for children pooling money for contraband.
Storage and Recording- Upon the child receiving pocket money, both the child and staff member are to sign the Cash Given to Child form. This is to be included as a receipt in the petty cash recoup.
- If there are exceptional circumstances where the child is unable to sign the Cash Given to Child Form, staff must advise of the reason on the form and sign to confirm the payment has been made. Storage of pocket money by the house for any child is voluntary by the child. It is:
- To be kept safe in a locked cabinet;
- Kept separate from other child/petty cash money; and
- Deposits and withdrawals clearly recorded on the individual child's money register template
- The register should include:
- Details of the date and how much money is entered and withdrawn.
- Name and signature of staff on shift completing the entry and signature of the child.
- The register should be uploaded to the child's file on Objective on a monthly basis.
|
|
