17.1.1 Handling Clients' money

Purpose

Support Workers regularly collect pensions and benefits for Clients and pay bills and shop on their behalf as specified in the care plan. In order to safeguard Clients and Support Workers standard procedures must be followed in handling this money.

Scope

These procedures apply to any financial transaction carried out by a Community Support Worker on behalf of a service user, including: collecting pensions or benefits; paying in or withdrawing money from accounts; paying bills; and shopping.

Related policies

The Safer working practice policy includes a section on lone working, and details precautions staff should take for their own safety. It should be noted that the recommended maximum amount of service users' money to be carried by a Support Worker is £ (less than the maximum covered by Supported Lives insurance).

General

• Any money belonging to a service user must be kept separately from the Support Workers personal money. It should be kept securely, not loose in a pocket.
• Staff must not use a service user's PIN number or their bank card
• If they are threatened or attacked, Support Workers should not put themselves at risk by trying to hold on to the money. They should give the money up, then contact the police and the office as soon as possible. The names and addresses of any witnesses should be noted.
• Pensions or benefits will be collected from the local Post Office. Staff should endeavour not to use the same route on the same day at the same time.

Recording transactions

• When collecting money on the Clients behalf, the Support Worker will record the amount received, and the person issuing the money will be asked to sign or stamp the book to confirm this.
• If the Support Worker carries out any further financial transaction they must keep all receipts and issue them to the client on their return.
• The balance remaining must be counted out to the Client or their representative.

This document was updated in January 2007

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