The Spike system allows for the application of a Bond equal to two weeks normal fees (or other period that the service may chose) to be paid for each child's bookings. The bond is held in trust by the service.
The bond system both improves the service's cash flow and, if adhered to, minimises bad debts when children are withdrawn from care. For this last reason, bonds should always be adjusted when a child's bookings change.
Fee adjustments covered in this section include Miscellaneous Charges and Special Child Care Benefit.