What help is there for Teen parents?

bigjl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

The OU is degree level study - how do you think a 16 year old would be ready for this and why would a higher level course prepare her for a lower level one?

For the girl in this situation, whether she goes straight to college or takes a year out, she should look at the Care to Learn scheme which will pay her childcare costs.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/Caretolearn/index.htm

I thought they did access courses aswell, and O Level courses. Oh well being wrong never killed anybody, the reason I thought of the OU is that it was self learning to a large extent, but didn't want to recommend ICS as I think they are expensive.

Sam____2

bigjl wrote: »

I thought they did access courses aswell, and O Level courses. Oh well being wrong never killed anybody, the reason I thought of the OU is that it was self learning to a large extent, but didn't want to recommend ICS as I think they are expensive.

sorry, had to have a wee chuckle at that, I think you'll find being wrong has killed many people...

bigjl

Sam___ wrote: »

sorry, had to have a wee chuckle at that, I think you'll find being wrong has killed many people...

Only if flying a plane or similiar though;)...............hopefully I haven't killed anybody with my dodgy advise on this subject.:D

At least I didn't remove my post when proved wrong, unlike some folk on this board.

xmumof4:->x

Thank you all for your help. I will have a look at all the links later.

There is no way that they are ready to live together in a flat or house. I'm not even sure if they are ready to live together with either me or her parents but I am willing to let them try.

I work 9 til 3 every weekday so if she went to college the baby would have to go to a creche for them hours.

My son has just started his college course so I am now in receipt of his child benefit and tax credits. Obviously if his girlfriend was to move in then that would change (woudn't it?).

I don't want this to ruin there lives and I am not one of those people that thinks they should suffer for their mistakes by giving there dreams up to look after the baby. I just need to know that we are going to be able to afford to live.

[UK]Blitzen

I am not one of those people that thinks they should suffer for their mistakes by giving there dreams up to look after the baby.

I agree...why should they give up their dreams, they are young.
On the other hand, why should all the people paying their taxes support them either?

He is your child, so is your responsiblity.

tickle

my daughter got pregnant last year just after leaving school.She decided to still go to college but had to change her course as she wanted to do sport.
She could not claim any benefits while pregnant but was able to claim EMA while at college.When she did give birth she was then entilted to income support,child benefit and child tax credits.She went back to college after 7 weeks off.
The college she goes to is for young mothers/mothers to be,and she gets the baby into a creche there and a company called care 2 learn pay the childcare for her.

It is very difficult but she says having a baby does not stop you from doing anything.

good luck to you all xx

xmumof4:->x

[UK]Blitzen wrote: »

I agree...why should they give up their dreams, they are young.
On the other hand, why should all the people paying their taxes support them either?

He is your child, so is your responsiblity.

I hear what you are saying.

The reason I am asking what help is available is so that they can both go to college to better themselves to get better paid jobs. After a couple of years they would be far more employable in better paid jobs and paying taxes themselves. What I am trying to avoid is for them to end up stuck in a flat, struggling to cope, having to claim all kinds of benefits because they are unskilled and unemployable.

My son has 'worked' since he was 13 years old with paper rounds, as a groundsman at the racecourse, beating on shoots etc etc. He understands how important it is to work to support yourself but we also know what the current climate is like and how hard it is for skilled people to get employment let alone unskilled, and surely by helping him get some qualifications behind him, and helping him through this situation by offering them a safe roof over their heads and supporting them as best I can is me taking responsibilty for him.

Sam____2

xmumof4:->x wrote: »

I hear what you are saying.

The reason I am asking what help is available is so that they can both go to college to better themselves to get better paid jobs. After a couple of years they would be far more employable in better paid jobs and paying taxes themselves. What I am trying to avoid is for them to end up stuck in a flat, struggling to cope, having to claim all kinds of benefits because they are unskilled and unemployable.

My son has 'worked' since he was 13 years old with paper rounds, as a groundsman at the racecourse, beating on shoots etc etc. He understands how important it is to work to support yourself but we also know what the current climate is like and how hard it is for skilled people to get employment let alone unskilled, and surely by helping him get some qualifications behind him, and helping him through this situation by offering them a safe roof over their heads and supporting them as best I can is me taking responsibilty for him.

He's lucky to have a mum like you, sounds like your sensible and understanding, hope it all works out for them, not all teen parents are scrounging, lazy good for nothings. I wish you and them all the luck in the world and hope they manage to finish thier education.

Murgatroyd21

As you already claim for your son, if his partner comes to live with you, you an claim for her too if she goes in to FTNAE (full time non-advanced education like your son), you can also claim the child benefit for her (you in effect become the responsible adult for her as you are for your son). If you do that you can also add the baby to your claim for tax credits and child benefit if they agree to you being named as the main carer.

You can then claim childcare costs as it is based on your circumstances, i.e. working minimum 16 hours can get up to 80% of childcare cost met. If your taxable income goes above your personal allowance, about £6450, then the amount you get may be reduced.

If the girl wants to claim for the baby herself she can claim ctc from your address as a single parent. If they claim as a couple you would have to end your claim for child benefit and tax credits for your son, as theirs should be a joint claim in its own right from your address and they may also qualify for IS or other benefits.

Duncombe

Murgatroyd21 wrote: »

As you already claim for your son, if his partner comes to live with you, you an claim for her too if she goes in to FTNAE (full time non-advanced education like your son), you can also claim the child benefit for her (you in effect become the responsible adult for her as you are for your son). If you do that you can also add the baby to your claim for tax credits and child benefit if they agree to you being named as the main carer.

You can then claim childcare costs as it is based on your circumstances, i.e. working minimum 16 hours can get up to 80% of childcare cost met. If your taxable income goes above your personal allowance, about £6450, then the amount you get may be reduced.

If the girl wants to claim for the baby herself she can claim ctc from your address as a single parent. If they claim as a couple you would have to end your claim for child benefit and tax credits for your son, as theirs should be a joint claim in its own right from your address and they may also qualify for IS or other benefits.

They won't qualify for IS as neither would be a lone parent.