15 yr old pregnant. What help is there?

notlongnow_2

Before everyone has a go about this girl I can guarantee you that you are not thinking anything different from I myself think.

This girl is currently in care miles away~(for hers, and her families safety)after being verbally and physically violent towards her family SEVERAL times which could have ended up with one of them ending up seriously injured or worse. She has numerous criminal records, mainly for assault. She has not attended school for approx the last 18months.

She is 15 and pregnant.

As far as I know the father is not around but it could be one of many many people so I would say he wont be contacted. She is 16 this year and we think she must be at least 3 months pregnant.

At the moment its not an option for her to return home due to the violence and the sheer hell she causes, but thats not to say it isnt a possibility in the future, although why her mother would have her back after what she has done, I have no idea...these are more than teenage strops. BUT at the end of the day its her grandchild and we probably will be there for her again in the future but right now its not an option. And thats not us being heartless, we fully understand the baby is important.

What help will she get? Ive read here that you have to be a certain age to claim certain benefits but what im searching on here isnt relevant and ive read at least 10 pages of this forum looking for help. Ive googled but it doesnt help me so hopefully asking real people will shed more light onto the matter.

I hope and pray she will change her ways and become a good mother to this baby. I hope she turns around in the future and thinks 'WHAT have i done?' and pass on her bad experiences to her child and some good comes out of this situation. I know theres a baby to think about and it would be better if it hadnt happened, but it has...and her mum wants to know what the future will hold.

Im asking for practical advice and I hope you can help.
Thankyou.

DaisyFlower

If she has a history of being violent social services will be involved to ensure she is no risk to the baby.

They will be most suited to advise her, particularly as she is still in care.

happymumto2

I had a patient who was the same age, but not of the same nature! She was not entitled to any benefits as although she was going to be a mum, she was not classed as an adult. She did receive the Healthy Start tokens for milk/fruit/vege, and she did recieve the Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500 at 29 weeks pregnant. Fortunately there were no issues at home, but her parents were expected to support her in view of the fact she was a child. She turned 16 when the baby was 6 weeks old, and was able to claim in her own right then.

I also agree with Daisy, due to the violence Social Services will be involved as there are child protection issues here.

Oldernotwiser

I wonder why you should assume that she should automatically continue with the pregnancy? As there is obviously a possibility that the baby may be removed for its own safety, perhaps a termination might be considered.

notlongnow_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I wonder why you should assume that she should automatically continue with the pregnancy? As there is obviously a possibility that the baby may be removed for its own safety, perhaps a termination might be considered.

Because im not in contact with her at present and so if she terminated then she wouldnt need to know about benefits. Im just being prepared for every eventual outcome.

TBH I dont think she would have a termination. I think it would partly be a little person who she thinks will be all lovely and someone to show off and will love her unconditionally and not nag her when she is being dangerous to herself and to others.

She thinks its going to be easy (from previous conversations) and thinks she is more grown up than what she actually is.

Conor_3

Flippin eck, you weren't kidding when you said you think the same as us.

Basically, maternity grant, child benefit and healthy start.

zappster1966

She can't claim benefits until she is 16. Period. Anything before 16 has to be claimed by her own parents or another responsible adult.

When she is 16 she'll be able to apply for Jobseeker's Allowance on the grounds she is estranged from her parents & when she's within 11 weeks of confinement she'll be able to apply for Income Support & her Sure Start Maternity Grant. When the baby is born she can apply for Child Benefit & Child Tax Credit.

mummytofour

What a terribly sad situation.
If she is in the care of ss then they will look after her and the baby, possibly placing her in a mother and baby unit. At the end of the day ss have a duty of care over both the baby and the mother in this case. The baby may be removed but that will be a last resort.

As for what she is entitled to, I would not worry to much as ss will sort it all out.

notlongnow_2

Thankyou all for your kind responses, ill pass the info on to her mum.

Hopefully some good will come out of this situation, especially for the sake of the innocent baby.
Thanks.