I don't wish to detract from the OP question but how does a non working teenager finance a moped & relevant test/running costs in order to look for a job? Exam results are no longer 'largely irrelevant', something that had changed significantly in the last 5 years & not having a 'C' in English & Maths DOES affect your chances of getting an interview - with or without a bright & friendly personality.
I'm sorry but your idealistic view is becoming outdated - my daughter took a job for 10 hours a week to get experience & help her find more work as we were of the impression that its easier to find work if you are employed, only to be told that the Government offer grants to take on long term unemployed, which she is not.
the moped schemes and cycle to work schemes pay for everything.
My view isn't idealistic. It's based on experiences of what has actually been achieved by people I know personally simply by not putting road blocks where there don't need to be any and accepting that they will probably have to scrub toilets for a bit.
This is a friendly forum, or has been up to now, where everyone tries to help/encourage/support each other, so I am leaving this thread before I voice my real opinion!
I am not suggesting that teenagers should be sitting at home doing nothing - the OP raised a query about her 16 year old, who, as far as I can tell should now be in education or training until they are 18 & therefore a dependant as far as the IVA is concerned.
Dancer I'm with you. When my son left uni he had a hell of a time finding a job. It took him almost 12 months before he got something. It wasn't through lack of trying but mainly due to the old thing of not having enough experience. He eventually, with the help of granny, bought himself a van and went out as a gardener. 4 years later he can now just support himself but he is still living at home and has no idea when he will be able to afford to move out.
Lou3, I have looked into the 'Moped' scheme that you referred to & the one that operated in our County was suspended in 2010 when the Agency that ran it were forced to make spending cuts - so, when you live in a rural area, transport issues are not quite as simple to solve as you suggest.
creditor will usually put a board & lodgings mod in place where if a child becomes non dependent they'd be expected to contribute to the household. however it does seem unreasonable to expect you to completely remove relevant expenditure from your i&e to "make it fit" your payment.
we certainly wouldn't do that at our place - speak to your IVA provider asap. i'm sure they'll be able to resolve the matter in a reasonable manner
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I work in insolvency as an IVA Drafter. I've been working in this industry for over 7 years and have seen every scenario you can imagine. I am experienced & knowledgeable in this field, so if I can offer any assistance to anyone, I'll be glad to help.
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The opinions posted in this forum are mine alone and not those of my employer (though I'm sure they'd agree with me!)
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Wow! I've been away from the forum for a while and I didn't expect to come back to posts like this!
Unfortunately it's not always easy to get a job - too little or too much experience causes huge problems. When my husband was made redundant he was rejected by several companies for being too experienced. There are many factors that make finding a new job difficult.
Jane, as others have said, speak to your IP. I'm sure there will be a solution. Good luck and let us know how you get on x
OP asks for some general advice and recieves a post about someone who had a job at 14 and 3 at 16, went on to get loads of A's. Blah blah blah blah blah.
Life is not so black and white for all of us, we don't know the OP's full situation, you seem to have judged your self at 16 and compared against a total stranger.
Posts like this will make people think twice about asking for help here in fear of being judged from people like yourself.
Please do not be put off from asking questions. The vast majority of posters give excellent advice. I think that posters in some cases need to give more information.
If there's a genuine reason for not going to college or work then the child is dependant. If they simply cannot be bothered, why should creditors pay?
There are college courses and apprenticeships post 16 for all abilities so unless there are exceptional circumstances, earn or learn! You would not expect a third party to pay if you were not in an iva so why should creditors accept reduced payments?
If the OP and her son are residient in England, then under English Legislation, the young person will now be in education or training until he/she is 18. As such the young person is still a dependent.
This legislation actually came into force last year, where last years Year 11's are in education until at least their 17th birthday.
If he falls under that legislation then he should be covered as a dependent. My friend's 18 year old daughter is still considered a dependent by payplan because she is doing A levels.
If they aren't able to get a job and are only sixteen then they should be in education to get skills to help them get one. Her clause states that children become non-dependents "on their 19th birthday or when they leave full time education whichever is the sooner"
