PWC stopping child going to Uni

missbiggles1

13Kent wrote: »

Thanks, that's good information. what happens if the child takes a 'gap' for more than 13 weeks after finishing A levels?

Also what is the criteria for "not job ready" - I can see the PWC trying to go down these routes.

"Not job ready" tends to be a history of truancy, bad timekeeping, unreliability, abuse etc.

Surely the PWC won't let her sit round for 13 weeks doing nothing and with no income from either the state or you, just so the student can be labelled NEET?

Show the daughter some information on proper post A level apprenticeships so she can see what sort of thing her mother's trying to force her into and why. Better still, get her to make an appointment with a Careers Adviser so she can discuss her options proprly with an objective adult.

jackyann

It sounds as if PWC is heavily influencing the young person. I think getting careers advice is excellent.
I would add to OP, just let them know that you will support them, whatever they choose, and keep saving as that uni course may well happen some day!

13Kent

[QUOTE

Surely the PWC won't let her sit round for 13 weeks doing nothing and with no income from either the state or you, just so the student can be labelled NEET?

.[/QUOTE]


Unfortunately yes because that's exactly what happened with child 1 who dropped out of 6th form by the Oct then did nothing until the following March when the child finally started an apprenticeship.

Meanwhile the PWC had applied for an extention to CB as the child had signed on with Connexions, and as CB was still payable CSA was still payable.

13Kent

cte1111 wrote: »

Remember that going straight from school to university isn't the only way to get a degree. Your step-child could always choose to apply to university at another point in their life, which they might well choose to do if they find their first path unrewarding.

Has the child actually applied to university? If not, then I think it is probably too late, unless they go into clearing.
https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/results/no-offers-use-clearing

Another idea would be to suggest that they talk to a careers advisor, their school should have one but there is also a national careers advice service. They could help the teenager think about what type of career they would ideally want and if appropriate, then this might involve university.

I don't think the PWC will have a problem with the child applying for Uni once she has squeezed as much money out of the CSA system as she can possibly do, in fact she will probably encourage it and I would fully expect her to remind the child and us that Dad had promised to pay any Uni expenses, and will probably plead poverty and say she is not in a position to contribute in any way towards the child's Uni expenses.

I think the problem is once you have stepped off that education wheel it's more difficult to be motivated to go back into education at a later date, particularly as you would be older then most of your peers, and even more so if you get a job and have your own money for the first time - no matter how low paid that job may be. I think it would be easier to find reasons not to bother later than to do what all your friends are doing at the moment and all go to University together.

FBaby

Unfortunately the PWC has the greater influence.

Or could it be that the child agrees with mum but doesn't tell you because they know you won't believe her?

I struggle to believe that a 17yo determined to go to Uni with a totally supportive father and step-mum prepared to take them on would lose on the chance because they are scared of mummy. If that is the case, then I think we could be talking about a safeguarding issue and needs reporting.

13Kent

Agrees in what way?

Do you mean agrees with Mum that an apprenticeship is the best thing to do even though that child is doing 4 A levels and is likely to come out with A grades?

Or agrees with Mum that if the apprenticeship route is taken Mum will still get her CB and CSA payments for the next few years rather than losing them and even worse maybe having to give some financial support to her child through the Uni years?

Or agrees with Mum that they are not ready to leave home? Maybe that child doesn't feel ready to leave home, but being honest how many children that go off to Uni really feel they are ready? I remember being terrified at the thought of leaving home to live miles away from my parents, but rather than telling me I wasn't ready my parents were reassuring told me how great it would be and what a good time I would have. On my first night away from home I didn't believe them and just wanted to go home, but a week later I was having a ball. It's one of those big steps in life that some people have the opportunity to take hopefully with the support of their family - not just financial support but emotional support too, and I just feel sad that the child in question is not getting this opportunity. In the end if they try it and it's not for them they can always go back home. But if they never get the opportunity to try it they will never know.

As for being scared of Mum, sadly I believe even at 17 a child can be under the influence of a domineering manipulative adult, but not necessarily feel scared, but just be persuaded that the opinion of that adult is to be regarded highly, and may not realise at the time that the adult's motivation is not necessarily in the best interests of that child.

Surely a child with that much potential should be encouraged by both parents to make the most of the opportunities available to them so that they can have the best start in life possible?

It's awful that the CSA which was put in place to try and make sure that children from separated families have better lives is actually doing the opposite, because of the avarice of the PWC that child is unable to make the best of the opportunities that come their way.

PreludeForTimeFeelers

HappyMJ wrote: »

Parent With Care - it's the parent the child chooses (in this case as the child is 16 or over) to live with for the majority if the time. It's this parent who has to pay for the day-to-day living costs of the child such as clothing etc... This parent can also claim the child benefit and the child tax credit. It's the home where the child is registered for school and for the GP.

The other parent is called the NRP - the Non Resident Parent and is the one paying the PWC the child support payments. This parent does not have to pay for any of the child's expenses directly but many do. In that case most are effectively paying twice. Once to the PWC to pay for the child's expenses and again direct to the child to top up the child's expenses which is why so many resent paying child support as the PWC should be using the child support money on the child.

In 2012 terminology these are called the receiving parent and the paying parent.

patman99

If the child does a full 4-year apprenticeship, then depending on the NVQ/QCF level the appreniceship reaches, they may well end up with an NVQ or QCF that is at the same level as a degree.

missbiggles1

patman99 wrote: »

If the child does a full 4-year apprenticeship, then depending on the NVQ/QCF level the appreniceship reaches, they may well end up with an NVQ or QCF that is at the same level as a degree.

Not if the mother can help it!

As I explained earlier, you can't claim CB/CTC for an apprenticeship at that level, which is why the mother will have to try to persuade her to do a pre apprenticeship, totally unsuitable for the girl's age and intelligence.

pmduk

TBH I'd suggest the OP restricts herself to advising her partner only. Any other involvement could be seen as unwarranted interference by either/both the QC/PWC, no matter how good the intentions.