Frequently asked questions

Q. Who in my school will help me if I have any questions or need help or simply want to talk to someone during the day?

A. Your school will arrange for one particular teacher to be your ‘link teacher’. This will normally be either your Form Tutor or your Year Head. If they are not available when you need them, any teacher will help you. If you feel you want to talk to someone urgently, go to the school office.

Q. Do I have to leave my school during my pregnancy? If not, how long can I stay in school?

A. If you are under school leaving age, you must stay in school during your pregnancy so long as you feel comfortable and there are no health reasons or risks to you in continuing in school. You will of course have maternity leave from school. If, in the later stages of your pregnancy, you are finding it difficult to attend full time, you can discuss your attendance with the school. For example, you might wish to concentrate on your compulsory subjects in the later weeks. Your teachers, your doctor and your family will help you decide what is best for you.

Q. What will I do when my school uniform no longer fits me?

A. You should be as comfortable as possible during your pregnancy and your school will be understanding and allow you to ‘mix and match’ your uniform and maternity clothes when you need to. It would be good if your alternatives were close to the colour of the school uniform.

Q. Will my school allow me to bring pictures of my baby into school?

A. The school will know that you have just had a baby and they will probably want to see the pictures too! It’s probably best if you show any pictures to your friends after-class or at break-times. Discuss this with your link teacher.

Q. What happens if my pregnancy affects my studies or my baby is due around exam-time?

A. If your pregnancy affects your studies the Principal of your school can approach the exam board and ask them to take this into account when marking your papers. The exam board considers each case individually according to the special circumstances. If you cannot take your exam at the normal time it should be possible for you to take it at a later date. Your school will know what is best for you.

Q.What type of benefit do I need to claim?

A.The Social Security Agency produces a free booklet, which provides information for young people applying for welfare benefits. You can get a copy at your local Social Security office. You should note that the general age for applying for benefits is 18 years although in exceptional circumstances if you are aged 16 or 17 years and you are a lone parent or you have a disability you can make a claim.

Q.How can I claim benefits?

A.You will have to fill out a form for each type of benefit you want to apply for. These forms can be quite long and complicated to fill out. It is important you fill them in properly. If you don’t, you may loose money or you may have to wait for a longer time to get your money. Each Social Security office has a member of staff who is a lone parent adviser. This adviser can provide assistance to parents who are lone parents, such as helping you with applications for Child Benefit and other benefits, providing information about training and education opportunities and calculating the financial situation if you were offered employment.

Q.What sort of benefit am I entitled to?

A.The adviser that you speak to in the Social Security office will explain the benefits that you are entitled to. Your health visitor will also have information about how you can access help with health costs such as prescriptions, travel costs to clinics and milk tokens.

When you are filling out these forms you can ask for help from an adviser in the Social Security Agency or from an adviser in your local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, you are eligible for:

• Free Prescriptions
• Free dental treatment
• Free eye testing

Q.I want to return to education but I have no family to look after the baby, what can I do?

A.If you are considering continuing your education, doing a training course or looking for work then you will need to organise childcare. Unfortunately some types of childcare can be expensive and there can be waiting lists. This can make it difficult to find childcare that is suitable to your needs and is affordable. In many cases you will need to organise your own childcare and this can mean that you may have to rely on family and friends for looking after your baby. Depending on the course you are doing there may be childminding facilities available or financial help towards childcare.

There are different types of childcare including the following:

• Registered childminder – this is a person who looks after children up to the age of 12. This is usually for more than two hours per day and for at least two days per week. Registered childminders will look after children in their own homes. ‘Registered’ means that the childminder has been vetted or checked by the Social Services Trust in your area and the childminder is registered or included on their list of approved childminders.
• Crèche – this is a daycare facility for young children. It is often available whilst the parent is attending education or training courses or participating in other activities. In some situations the parents will be in the same building as the crèche. The crèche may run morning and afternoon sessions.
• Day nursery – accept children usually from the age of six weeks to under five years. The nursery provides childcare for more than four hours per day. Children can attend on a full time or part time basis.
• Pre-school playgroup – the playgroup accepts children from the ages of three to five and runs for up to four hours each day. Parents do not have to stay with their children during this time.

Q.I am 15 and still at school. I live with my parent(s) who are both unemployed. Can I claim any benefits?

A. During your pregnancy - your parents can continue to claim Child Benefit as well as Income Support or Income - Based Job Seekers Allowance for you until your baby is born. However they should inform their local Social Security Office that you are pregnant as they will be entitled to receive milk tokens for you. Once you are 29 weeks pregnant (6 ½ months approximately) your parents will be able to claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant (SSMG). At present this is a £500 one off payment. The Sure Start Maternity Grants can be paid 11 weeks before the birth and up to 12 weeks after the birth. If a claim is not made within this time period you will lose entitlement.

After the birth - You will NOT be able to claim Income Support in your own right until you are 16 years old however your parents can continue to claim benefits for you plus Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Child Benefit (CB) for your baby until you are 19 and as long as you are in full-time education.

You will also receive milk tokens and free dental treatment and prescriptions.

Q. I am 16 and still at school. I live with my parent(s) who are working. Can I claim benefits?

A. During Your Pregnancy – Your parents can continue to claim Child Benefit for you and they may also get Child Tax Credit and or Working Tax Credit. If they are in receipt of Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element they will be able to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant once you are 29 weeks pregnant (6 ½ months approximately). At present this is a £500 one off payment. The ‘higher family element’ of Child Tax Credit is also paid where a family has a child under 1 year’s old. This is payable until the child’s first birthday.

After the birth - You will be able to claim Income Support in your own right as a single parent plus CTC and CB for your baby. You will also be able to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant if your parents have not already done so. Sure Start Maternity Grants can be paid 11 weeks before the birth and up to 12 weeks after the birth. If you do not claim within this time period you will lose benefit.

Once you begin to claim benefits in your own right your parent(s) will no longer be eligible to claim Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit for you. It is advisable to have a ‘benefits check’ carried out as claiming in your own right will affect the overall family income.

Q.I live with my mum who is in receipt of Income Support. Can my mum look after my baby while I go to school?

A . If your mum is in receipt of Income Support and you are the only child who lives with her, then her Income Support will be affected if you decide to claim in your own right after the birth of your baby. Your mum will be eligible to claim Job Seekers Allowance (as she will no longer be treated as a lone parent). If she claims Job Seekers Allowance it is unlikely that she would be able to look after your baby and still be eligible to claim Job Seekers Allowance as she will have to be available for work.

However if you do not claim Income Support in your own right then your mum can claim CTC and CB for you and your baby until you are 19 and as long as you continue to be in full-time education. However it is always advisable to have a ‘benefits check’ carried out.

You will also receive milk tokens and free dental treatment and prescriptions.

Q.I am 17 and I want to stay on at school full time. I am doing a non advanced course e.g. GCSEs to A level and I live apart from my Parent(s). What benefits can I claim?

A. During Your Pregnancy – You will be able to claim Income Support if you are attending school or college and participating on a full-time course. You will also have to show that you have ‘good cause’ for not being able to live with your parents.

After the birth – You will be able to claim Child Benefit and CTC for your baby plus Income Support as a single parent. When claiming Income Support you are also applying for Child Support Maintenance.

You can also claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant and Housing Benefit to help pay for you rent. You can return to school after the birth if you want to and you should get help with the cost of your childcare.

You will also receive milk tokens and free dental treatment and prescriptions.