Financial Advice for Brighton and Hove Foster Carers caring for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children.

Pocket Money

Foster carers are required to give a young person pocket money each week. The amount they receive will depend upon their age. Here is a guide:

Minimum Amount:

· 13 years old- £7

· 14 years old - £8

· 15 years old - £9

· 16 years old - £10

· 17 years old - £10

Mobile Phones

· If the young person does not have a phone when they arrive, carers will need to purchase one up the value of £100. This can be second hand. This will be reimbursed by the UASC POD (receipt to be given to child’s social worker). Young people may want to top up with pocket money, bursary money or carers may want to top this up themselves, however, the Clothing Allowance is NOT to be used for this.

· Phone Credit - Carers provide £10 per month phone credit. If the young person uses more than this, they can pay for it out of their pocket money or college bursary. Suggest carers get a SIM only (monthly deal). Do not get tied into a contract.

Personal Allowance

There is no set amount for the Personal Allowance.

What carers are expected to pay for should be discussed at the Placement Planning Meeting. Most foster carers will buy items such as toiletries as part of their weekly shop, particularly for new arrivals until they get used to the money in the UK. Carers are not expected to purchase very expensive shampoos and body washes etc. If the young people want these, they can either buy them themselves or make a contribution towards the cost.

For more established young people this will be discussed with the network as part of their independent living skills. An agreed amount will then be given to the young person so they can buy these items themselves.

Haircuts – these can be paid for out of the personal allowance money. Suggested amounts are:

Males – approx. £14 per month

Females – likely to be more – discuss at the Placement Planning Meeting.

Some young people may want their hair braided etc. Carers are not expected to pay for this all themselves but will be required to make a contribution. Again, this is to be discussed with the network. The UASC POD and in some circumstances the young person can contribute to this.

Clothing Allowance

A minimum of £40 per month. Young people to be encouraged to save for higher cost items.

Setting Up Allowance.

The Setting Up Allowance is now paid to the carers direct at the start of a placement. It is the equivalent of one week’s money (care element part of fostering allowance only).

Please see the Kit List below on what to buy for new arrivals.

School Uniform

Foster carers are expected to provide this up to the value of £150 .If more than the UASC POD can contribute. It is acceptable to buy second hand school uniform and to look for reasonably priced items.

School Lunches

Carers are expected to provide the young people with a packed lunch or money for a hot school meal. Base this decision on what the young person prefers as eating is a social event as well as being about food. Don’t worry if they are not choosing a healthy option at school.

Lunches at College/Language Schools

Once the young person is in receipt of a college bursary carers are expected to provide them with a packed lunch. If young people would prefer a hot lunch or would like to eat out with friends, they can pay for this out of their bursary money.

Supporting a Young person to Follow their Religion or Culture

Foster Carers are expected to purchase a prayer mat/Quran. It is recommended that EDS carers have a supply of these.

For those young people who need to travel to London to worship, travel costs to be discussed with SSW/SW at the Placement Planning Meeting.

Travel Costs

If living within the Brighton and Hove area – foster carers to provide the young person with a bus pass.

If living outside the Brighton and Hove area where young people will be travelling by train. The UASC POD will fund a 16/17-year-old rail card which provides reductions on train travel.

Irrespective of where a carers lives the expectation is that carers provide bus/rail tickets of between £15 - £20 per week. Anything more than that to be discussed with the SSW/UASC POD.

Listen Up Card

This gives young people living in Brighton and Hove free use of council run gyms and swimming pools. If a young person wants to attend an alternative gym, they can pay for this themselves out of their pocket money/bursary.

Gym Induction Charge - carers to pay for this and give receipt to SSW who will reimburse it.

For those young people living outside of Brighton and Hove. The UASC POD will pay for a reasonably priced gym membership. Again, gym inductions can be reimbursed.

Social Activities

Foster carers are expected to pay between £10 - £15 per week for organised activities. The UASC POD can make a financial contribution towards annual memberships and expensive equipment.

College Bursary

Young people are eligible for a college bursary if they are aged 16 plus and attending college. The individual colleges are responsible for this and the amount they will receive will vary. It is paid direct to the young person.

Young people attending private language schools also get a bursary, but this is funded by the UASC POD.

Young people are to be encouraged to save some of this money for when they turn 18 but ultimately it is the young person’s choice whether they do this or not.

Laptops

For those aged under 16 the Virtual School will fund a laptop.

For those aged over 16 plus the UASC POD will fund this.

Optician Appointments

If young people are not in fulltime education and are 16 plus, eye tests are NOT free. (This normally relates to new arrivals). In this instance the first eye test can be funded by the Local Authority (receipt to SSW). Any ongoing eye appointments will need to be funded by the foster carers, although the majority of young people will by then, be in fulltime education.

HEP Vaccination for Carers

Carers recommended to have HEP funded by themselves. Carers should check with GPs as they may be able to get this for free if you explain that you are working with unaccompanied asylum seekers.

Scabies Cream – suggested UASC Carers and EDS carers keep a supply of this.

Travel Costs to Home Office

If travelling by train - foster carers are expected to fund the young person but the Fostering Team can reimburse the carers ticket (receipt to SSW). Alternatively, if travelling by car foster carers can reimburse fuel costs.

New Arrivals Kit List

New arrival set up essential clothing kit list –

5-8 t-shirts

2-3 sweaters or sweatshirts

1 jacket/coat

3-4 pairs of joggers/jeans

8-10 pairs of underwear

8 -10 pairs of socks

2 pairs of trainers/shoes

1 pair of sliders/flip flops/slippers

1 hat/cap

1 belt

We know many YP’s want branded clothing. Maybe 1 or 2 items can be a little more expensive branded items but sought out in the sale or from cheaper online retailers in order to make the budget get as much as possible.

A few of many Shops/Websites to explore for value or sales –

Sports Direct - SportsDirect.com – The UK’s No 1 Sports Retailer

Primark

H&M - https://tinyurl.com/4wtpu8dt

ASOS - ASOS | Online Shopping for the Latest Clothes & Fashion

TK max - Top Fashion, Gifting & Homeware Brands, up to 60% Less* - TK Maxx UK

Boohoo - boohoo | Women’s and Mens Clothes | Shop Online Fashion

Zalando - Shop Shoes, Fashion & Accessories Online | Zalando UK

M&M direct - MandM Direct | Cheap Branded Clothing & Footwear

Please Download the Journey – Brighton and Hove Care Leavers App which has further information on what young people are entitled to.

 

This section provides advice for Brighton & Hove Foster Carers who are looking after Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and includes links to resources you may find useful.