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282 <h2>
282 Applications for Special Guardianship Orders
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
289 <h3>
289 RELATED CHAPTER
289 </h3>
290 <p>
290 This chapter should be read in conjunction with
290 <a href="g_perm_plan.html">
290 Permanence Planning Guidance
290 </a>
290 .
290 </p>
291 <h3>
291 RELEVANT NATIONAL GUIDANCE
291 </h3>
292 <p>
292 <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-guardianship-guidance"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
292 DfE, Special Guardianship Guidance
292 </a>
292 </p>
293 <p>
293 <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/adoption-support-fund-asf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
293 Adoption Support Fund
293 </a>
293 </p>
294 <p>
294 <a href="https://www.lgo.org.uk/information-centre/reports/focus-reports" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
294 Firm Foundations: Complaints about Council Support and Advice for Special Guardians (Local
Government and Social Care Ombudsman)
294 </a>
294 </p>
295 <p>
295 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-teacher-for-looked-after-children"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
295 The Designated Teacher for Looked After and Previously Looked After Children: Statutory Guidance
on their Roles and Responsibilities
295 </a>
295 </p>
296 <h3>
296 AMENDMENT
296 </h3>
297 <p>
297 This chapter was updated in April 2020 to reference and reflect the Family Justice Council:
Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council, May 2019) (see new
297 <a href="#applications">
297 Section 6.2, Special Guardianship Applications in Care Proceedings
297 </a>
297 ).
297 </p>
298 </div>
299 <div id="sections">
301 <h3 id="sections_list">
301 Contents
301 </h3>
302 <ol>
303 <li class="sub_list">
303 <a href="#introduction">
303 Introduction
303 </a>
303 </li>
304 <li class="sub_list">
304 <a href="#who_apply">
304 Who may Apply?
304 </a>
304 </li>
305 <li class="sub_list">
305 <a href="#paren_resp" title="my_first_parental_resp_link">
305 Parental Responsibility
305 </a>
305 </li>
306 <li class="sub_list">
306 <a href="#circumstances">
306 The Circumstances in which a Special Guardianship Order may be Made
306 </a>
306 </li>
307 <li class="sub_list">
307 <a href="#planning_meet">
307 Planning Meeting
307 </a>
307 </li>
308 <li class="sub_list">
308 <a href="#approval_spec">
308 Approval of Special Guardianship for Looked After Children
308 </a>
308 </li>
309 <li class="sub_list">
309 <a href="#report_court">
309 Report to the Court
309 </a>
309 </li>
310 <li class="sub_list">
310 <a href="#discharge_spec">
310 Discharge of Special Guardianship Order
310 </a>
310 </li>
311 <li class="sub_list">
311 <a href="#spec_guard_support">
311 Special Guardianship Support
311 </a>
311 </li>
312 <li class="sub_list">
312 <a href="#entitle_assessment">
312 Entitlement to Assessment for Special Guardianship Support
312 </a>
312 </li>
313 <li class="sub_list">
313 <a href="#assesment_support">
313 Assessment for Support
313 </a>
313 </li>
314 <li class="sub_list">
314 <a href="#spec_guard_plan">
314 The Special Guardianship Support Plan
314 </a>
314 </li>
315 <li class="sub_list">
315 <a href="#rev_spec_guard">
315 Review of Special Guardianship Support Plan
315 </a>
315 </li>
316 <li class="sub_list">
316 <a href="#financial_support">
316 Financial SGO Policy
316 </a>
316 </li>
317 <li class="sub_list">
317 <a href="#urgent_cases">
317 Urgent Cases
317 </a>
317 </li>
318 <li class="sub_list">
318 <a href="#special_guard">
318 Special Guardian Duty on the Death of the Child
318 </a>
318 </li>
319 <li class="remove_bullet">
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319 Appendix 1: Financial Support Application Form
319 </a>
319 </li>
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320 Appendix 2: Special Guardian Allowance Review of Child's Needs
320 </a>
320 </li>
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321 Appendix 3: Post Special Guardian Support Assessment of Need
321 </a>
321 </li>
322 <li class="remove_bullet">
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322 Appendix 4: Outcome of Special Guardianship Allowance Review Letter
322 </a>
322 </li>
323 <li class="remove_bullet">
323 <a href="#app5">
323 Appendix 5: Good Practice: Getting it Right First Time
323 </a>
323 </li>
324 </ol>
325 <h3 id="introduction">
325 1. Introduction
325 </h3>
326 <p>
326 Special Guardianship offers an option for children needing permanent care outside their birth
family. It can offer greater security without absolute severance from the birth family as in
adoption.
326 </p>
327 <p>
327 It will address the needs of a significant group of children, mainly older, who need a sense of
stability and security but who do not wish to make the absolute legal break with their birth
family that is associated with adoption.
327 </p>
328 <p>
328 It will also provide an alternative for achieving permanence in families where adoption, for
cultural or religious reasons, is not an option.
328 </p>
329 <p>
329 A Special Guardianship Order offers greater stability and legal security to a placement than a
Child Arrangements Order.
329 </p>
330 <p>
330 Children subject to a Special Guardianship Order are eligible as previously Looked After Children
for additional support with their education (Sections 20(4) and 20A(4) of the Children and Young
Persons Act 2008). For further information, please see the
330 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
330 Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
330 </a>
330 .
330 </p>
331 <p>
331 Special Guardians will have Parental Responsibility for the child and, whilst this will be shared
with the child's parents, the Special Guardian will have the ability to exercise this
responsibility without seeking permission from the parents.
331 </p>
332 <p>
332 A Special Guardianship Order made in relation to a Looked After Child will replace the Care Order
and the Local Authority will no longer have Parental Responsibility.
332 </p>
333 <p>
333 A Care Order, however, will not automatically revoke a Special Guardianship Order although the
Special Guardian's exercise of Parental Responsibility will be restricted as the local authority
will have primary responsibility for decision-making under the Care Order.
333 </p>
334 <p>
334 For further details about the Special Guardianship as a permanence option for Looked After
Children, see
334 <a href="g_perm_plan.html">
334 Permanence Planning Guidance
334 </a>
334 .
334 </p>
335 <p>
335 People thinking about becoming special guardians will be provided with clear, user-friendly
information to help them make informed choices. This should include information on support
available and how this is reviewed.
335 </p>
336 <h3 id="who_apply">
336 2. Who may Apply?
336 </h3>
337 <p>
337 Applications for Special Guardianship may be individual or joint. Joint applicants do not need to
be married. Special Guardians must be 18 or over.
337 </p>
338 <p>
338 The following persons may apply without having to obtain the leave of the court:
338 </p>
339 <ul>
340 <li>
340 Any guardian of the child;
340 </li>
341 <li>
341 Where the child is subject of a Care Order or an Interim Care Order, any person who has the
consent of the Local Authority;
341 </li>
342 <li>
342 A local authority foster carer who is a relative of the child or with whom the child has lived
for one year immediately preceding the application (even if the Local Authority does not
consent)
342 <span class="tiny_text">
342 [1]
342 </span>
342 ;
342 </li>
343 <li>
343 Anyone who is named in a Child Arrangements Order as a person with whom the child is to
live;
343 </li>
344 <li>
344 Anyone who has the consent of each person named in a Child Arrangements Order as a person with
whom the child is to live;
344 </li>
345 <li>
345 Anyone with whom the child has lived for 3 out of the last 5 years, providing the child has not
ceased to live with the proposed applicant more than 3 months before the making of the
application;
345 </li>
346 <li>
346 Anyone who has the consent of all those with Parental Responsibility for the child.
346 </li>
347 </ul>
348 <p>
348 Any other person (including the child and other than a parent) may apply for a Special
Guardianship Order if he has obtained the leave of the court to make the application.
348 </p>
349 <p>
349 The parents of a child may not apply to become their own child's Special Guardians.
349 </p>
350 <p class="tiny_text">
350 [1] A person who is, or was at any time within the last 6 months, a local authority foster parent
of a child may not apply for leave to apply for an SGO unless (s)he has the consent of the local
authority, or (s) he is a relative of the child or the child has lived with him for at least one
year preceding the application.
350 </p>
351 <h3 id="paren_resp">
351 3. Parental Responsibility
351 </h3>
352 <p>
352 The Special Guardian will have Parental Responsibility for the child and will have clear
responsibility for the day-to-day decisions about caring for the child to the exclusion of anyone
else who might have Parental Responsibility (apart from another Special Guardian).
352 </p>
353 <p>
353 The child's parents will continue to hold Parental Responsibility but their exercise of it will be
limited. The parents will, however, retain the right to consent or not to the child's adoption or
placement for adoption.
353 </p>
354 <p>
354 In addition there are certain steps in a child's life which require the consent of every-one with
Parental Responsibility, for example:
354 </p>
355 <ul>
356 <li>
356 The change of surname of the child;
356 </li>
357 <li>
357 The removal of the child from the United Kingdom for longer than 3 months;
357 </li>
358 <li>
358 The sterilisation of a child.
358 </li>
359 </ul>
360 <h3 id="circumstances">
360 4. The Circumstances in which a Special Guardianship Order may be Made
360 </h3>
361 <p>
361 The Court may make a Special Guardianship Order in any family proceedings concerning the welfare
of the child. This applies even where no application has been made and includes adoption
proceedings.
361 </p>
362 <p>
362 Any person making an application for a Special Guardianship Order must give 3 months' written
notice to their local authority of their intention to apply. In relation to a Looked After Child,
the notice will go to the local authority looking after the child. In all other cases, the notice
will be sent to the local authority for the area where the applicant resides. The local authority
receiving the notice will then have a duty to provide a report to the Court.
362 </p>
363 <p>
363 The only exception to the requirement for 3 months' notice is where the Court has granted leave to
make an application and waived the notice period.
363 </p>
364 <p>
364 Where the local authority has received notice from an applicant or a request for a report from the
Court, it should send written information about the steps it proposes to take in preparing the
report to the prospective Special Guardian and the parents of the child in question. This should
include information about Special Guardianship support services and how to request an assessment
of needs for support.
364 </p>
365 <h3 id="planning_meet">
365 5. Planning Meeting
365 </h3>
366 <p>
366 Once notice has been received that an application for Special Guardianship is to be made, the
notice should be passed to the allocated social worker or, if the child is not previously known,
arrangements must be made for the case to be allocated to a social worker.
366 </p>
367 <p>
367 The allocated social worker should arrange a planning meeting as soon as practicable after the
notice is received. The planning meeting should clarify the steps to be taken, who will carry out
the necessary assessments and who will contribute to the report for the Court. Court timescales
will need to be clarified.
367 </p>
368 <p>
368 The social worker or social workers preparing the Court report should be suitably qualified and
experienced. There are no specific requirements as to the level of qualification or experience
required and it will be for the manager of the relevant social work team to ensure that the
allocated worker is competent to write the report.
368 </p>
369 <p>
369 In all cases there will need to be:
369 </p>
370 <p>
370 An assessment of the current and likely future needs of the child (including any harm the child
has suffered and any risk of future harm posed by the child's parents, relatives or any other
person the local authority considers relevant).
370 </p>
371 <p>
371 An assessment of the prospective Special Guardian's parenting capacity including:
371 </p>
372 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
373 <li>
373 Their understanding of, and ability to meet the child's current and likely future needs,
particularly, any needs the child may have arising from harm that the child has suffered;
373 </li>
374 <li>
374 Their understanding of, and ability to protect the child from any current or future risk of harm
posed by the child's parents, relatives or any other person the local authority consider
relevant, particularly in relation to contact between any such person and the child;
374 </li>
375 <li>
375 Their ability and suitability to bring up the child until the child reaches the age of eighteen.
375 </li>
376 </ol>
377 <p>
377 The proposed contact arrangements and the support needs (See
377 <a href="#assesment_support">
377 Section 11, Assessment for Support
377 </a>
377 ) of the child, parents and the prospective special guardian.
377 </p>
378 <p>
378 The assessment of the applicants should include their medical history, the references received and
the Disclosure and Barring Service and other statutory checks undertaken for the assessment.
378 </p>
379 <h3 id="approval_spec">
379 6. Approval of Special Guardianship for Looked After Children
379 </h3>
380 <h4>
380 6.1 General
380 </h4>
381 <p>
381 If the child is Looked After and the application has been agreed as part of the child's Permanence
Plan, the assessments will usually have been undertaken and the outcomes agreed as part of the
permanence planning for the child, in which case there will be no need to hold a planning meeting.
381 </p>
382 <p>
382 Special Guardianship as an outcome for a Looked After child must be approved by the
382 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
382 Designated Manager (Special Guardianship)
382 </a>
382 .
382 </p>
383 <h4 id="applications">
383 6.2 Special Guardianship Applications in Care Proceedings
383 </h4>
385 <p>
385 <a
href="https://www.judiciary.uk/announcements/family-justice-council-interim-guidance-on-special-gu
ardianship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
385 Interim Guidance on Special Guardianship (Family Justice Council, May 2019)
385 </a>
385 has confirmed that alternative potential carers should be identified at an early stage – including
through pre-proceedings where possible and by convening a Family Group Conference. Nevertheless,
identification of carers should not be as a result of parent's approval/disapproval but should
focus on the child's interests.
385 </p>
386 <p>
386 However, there is recognition that some applicants may be identified, or come forward, late in
proceedings and the court will need to give careful consideration with regard to a possible
extension of the 26-week timescale (see
386 <a href="p_care_supervis_plo.html">
386 Care and Supervision Proceedings and the Public Law Outline Procedure
386 </a>
386 ).
386 </p>
387 <p>
387 Assessments should be evidence-based and child-focused. Before the assessment, the prospective
carers should be provided with full information about:
387 </p>
388 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
389 <li>
389 What the assessment will involve;
389 </li>
390 <li>
390 The time and commitment needed from them;
390 </li>
391 <li>
391 A letter should be sent explaining the expectations of the carers and what they should think
about during the process.
391 </li>
392 </ol>
393 <p>
393 The assessment should carefully balance the strengths families may have; any existing
relationships they have with the child and the significance for the child of remaining within
their family and network, against the carers' capacity to meet the assessed needs and the
challenges that a particular child may bring on a long-term basis and until their 18th birthday.
393 </p>
394 <p>
394 See:
394 <a href="g_court_rept.html#special_guard">
394 Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance,
Special Guardianship - Matters to be Dealt with in Report for the Court
394 </a>
394 .
394 </p>
395 <p>
395 The child's Looked After Review should make a recommendation regarding the outcome of the Care
proceedings for the child's Care Plan and this should be approved by the
395 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
395 Designated Manager (Special Guardianship)
395 </a>
395 .
395 </p>
396 <p>
396 Final recommendations should not be made until the essential tasks and activities for a full
family and friends' assessment are completed.
396 </p>
397 <p>
397 The prospective carers should have time to read the assessment report before it is filed and
comment on the report.
397 </p>
398 <p>
398 Following the filing of the report, the prospective carers should be given the opportunity to seek
independent advice and legal advice to understand fully the implications of any Orders made and if
need be, make applications of their own.
398 </p>
399 <p>
399 A Special Guardianship Support Plan will need to be provided around the time of filing the Special
Guardianship Order report and its recommendation, detailing the support to be provided to the
carers and the child and include contact for the child with their birth parents. The potential
applicants should be able to seek legal advice about the Support Plan.
399 </p>
400 <h3 id="report_court">
400 7. Report for the Court
400 </h3>
401 <p>
401 The social worker or social workers preparing the Court report should be suitably qualified and
experienced.
401 </p>
402 <p>
402 Once completed, the Court Report should be submitted by the author(s) to their line manager(s) for
approval.
402 </p>
403 <p>
403 See
403 <a href="g_court_rept.html">
403 Court Reports in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance
403 </a>
403 for what is required to be included in the report.
403 </p>
404 <h3 id="discharge_spec">
404 8. Discharge of Special Guardianship Order
404 </h3>
405 <p>
405 A Special Guardianship Order can be varied or discharged on the application of:
405 </p>
406 <ul>
407 <li>
407 The Special Guardian;
407 </li>
408 <li>
408 The local authority in whose name a Care Order was in force before the Special Guardianship
Order was made;
408 </li>
409 <li>
409 Anyone named in a Child Arrangements Order as a person with whom the child was to live before
the Special Guardianship Order was made;
409 <br />
410 <br />
411 or
411 <br />
412 <br />
413 </li>
414 <li>
414 With the leave of the court:
415 <ul>
416 <li>
416 The child's parents or guardians;
416 </li>
417 <li>
417 Any step parent who has Parental Responsibility;
417 </li>
418 <li>
418 Anyone who had Parental Responsibility immediately before the Special Guardianship Order was
made;
418 </li>
419 <li>
419 The child (if the court is satisfied that the child has sufficient understanding).
419 </li>
420 </ul>
421 </li>
422 </ul>
423 <p>
423 Where the applicant is not the child and the leave of the court is required, the court may only
grant leave if there has been a significant change in circumstances since the Special Guardianship
Order was made.
423 </p>
424 <p>
424 The court may during any family proceedings in which a question arises about the welfare of a
child who is subject to a Special Guardianship Order, vary or discharge the Order in the absence
of an application.
424 </p>
425 <h3 id="spec_guard_support">
425 9. Special Guardianship Support
425 </h3>
426 <p>
426 The local authority must make provision for a range of Special Guardianship support services.
426 </p>
427 <p>
427 Special Guardianship support services are defined as:
427 </p>
428 <ul>
429 <li>
429 Financial support (see
429 <a href="#financial_support">
429 Section 14, Financial Support
429 </a>
429 );
429 </li>
430 <li>
430 Services to enable children, Special Guardians and parents to discuss matters relating to
special guardianship;
430 </li>
431 <li>
431 Assistance including mediation in relation to contact between the child and their parents,
relatives or significant others;
431 </li>
432 <li>
432 Therapeutic services for the child;
432 </li>
433 <li>
433 Assistance to ensure continuance of the relationship between the child and the Special Guardian,
including training to meet any special needs of the child, respite care, and mediation;
433 </li>
434 <li>
434 Counselling, advice and information.
434 </li>
435 </ul>
436 <p>
436 Special Guardianship Support will be subject to the approval of the Designated Manager (Special
Guardianship Support).
436 </p>
437 <p>
437 The services described above may include cash assistance.
437 </p>
438 <p>
438 Support services should not be seen in isolation from mainstream services and it is important to
ensure that families are assisted in accessing mainstream services and are aware of their
entitlements to tax credits and social security benefits.
438 </p>
439 <p>
439 Where the child was previously Looked After, the local authority that looked after the child has
responsibility for providing support for the first 3 years after the making of a Special
Guardianship Order. Thereafter the local authority where the Special Guardian lives will be
responsible for the provision of any support required.
439 </p>
440 <p>
440 If a child is not Looked After, the local authority where the Special Guardian lives has the
responsibility for Special Guardianship support.
440 </p>
441 <p>
441 Ongoing financial support, which has been agreed before the Special Guardianship Order is made,
remains the responsibility of the local authority that agreed it so long as the family meet the
criteria for payments.
441 </p>
442 <p>
442 In addition to the support provided by local authorities the Adoption Support Fund in England also
covers therapeutic support for children, living in England, who were previously in care
immediately before the making of a Special Guardianship Order.
442 </p>
443 <p>
443 Based on the assessment of needs, local authorities can apply for funding from the
443 <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/adoption-support-fund-asf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
443 Adoption Support Fund
443 </a>
443 .
443 </p>
444 <h3 id="entitle_assessment">
444 10. Entitlement to Assessment for Special Guardianship Support
444 </h3>
445 <p>
445 Where the child is Looked After or was Looked After immediately prior to the making of the Special
Guardianship Order, the following people MUST receive an assessment at their request:
445 </p>
446 <ul>
447 <li>
447 The child;
447 </li>
448 <li>
448 The Special Guardian or prospective Special Guardian;
448 </li>
449 <li>
449 A parent (but only in relation to their need for support with contact and/or discussion groups);
449 </li>
450 </ul>
451 <p>
451 Where the child is not Looked After or was not Looked After immediately prior to the making of the
Special Guardianship Order, the following people MAY be offered an assessment of their need for
Special Guardianship support services:
451 </p>
452 <ul>
453 <li>
453 The child;
453 </li>
454 <li>
454 The Special Guardian or prospective Special Guardian;
454 </li>
455 <li>
455 A parent.
455 </li>
456 </ul>
457 <p>
457 In all cases, whether the Special Guardianship child is looked after or not, the following people
also MAY be offered an assessment of their need for Special Guardianship support services:
457 </p>
458 <ul>
459 <li>
459 A child of the Special Guardian;
459 </li>
460 <li>
460 Any person with a significant ongoing relationship with the child.
460 </li>
461 </ul>
462 <p>
462 If a local authority decides not to assess in cases where they have discretion as above, they must
notify the decision in writing, including reasons for the decision, to the person making the
request.
462 </p>
463 <h3 id="assesment_support">
463 11. Assessment for Support
463 </h3>
464 <p>
464 The assessment should be based on the Assessment Framework under Working Together to Safeguard
Children and include the following:
464 </p>
465 <ul>
466 <li>
466 The developmental needs of the child;
466 </li>
467 <li>
467 The child's educational needs;
467 </li>
468 <li>
468 The parenting capacity of the Special Guardian or prospective Special Guardian to meet the
child's needs;
468 </li>
469 <li>
469 Family and environmental factors that have shaped the life of the child and the capacity of the
Special Guardian or prospective Special Guardian to respond to those experiences;
469 </li>
470 <li>
470 Comment on how life with the Special Guardian might be for the child;
470 </li>
471 <li>
471 Any previous assessment of the child or Special Guardian that is relevant;
471 </li>
472 <li>
472 The needs of the Special Guardian or prospective Special Guardian and their family;
472 </li>
473 <li>
473 The impact of the Special Guardianship Order on the relationship between the child, parent and
Special Guardian.
473 </li>
474 </ul>
475 <p>
475 Special Guardianship Support will be subject to the approval of the Designated Manager (Special
Guardianship Support).
475 </p>
476 <p>
476 At the end of the assessment and once the necessary approval has been obtained, the social worker
must inform the person requesting provision of its outcome, including:
476 </p>
477 <ul>
478 <li>
478 Information about the outcome of the assessment and the reasons for it;
478 </li>
479 <li>
479 Where it relates to financial support, the basis on which this is determined;
479 </li>
480 <li>
480 The services (if any) that the Local Authority proposes to provide to help meet the child's
needs;
480 </li>
481 <li>
481 If financial support is to be paid, the amount and conditions attached.
481 </li>
482 </ul>
483 <h3 id="spec_guard_plan">
483 12. The Special Guardianship Support Plan
483 </h3>
484 <p>
484 Where an assessment identifies the need for ongoing support services, a Special Guardianship
Support Plan must be completed.
484 </p>
485 <p>
485 Other agencies, such as education and health, may need to be consulted about the contents of the
Plan.
485 </p>
486 <p>
486 As a previously looked after child, the child subject to a Special Guardianship Order will be
entitled to additional education support. This will be accessed through the designated teacher in
the child's school. For further information, please see
486 <a href="p_educ_lac.html">
486 Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Procedure
486 </a>
486 .
486 </p>
487 <p>
487 The Plan should be written in such a way that everyone affected can understand and set out:
487 </p>
488 <ol>
489 <li>
489 The services to be provided;
489 </li>
490 <li>
490 The objectives and criteria for success;
490 </li>
491 <li>
491 Timescales for provision;
491 </li>
492 <li>
492 Procedures for review;
492 </li>
493 <li>
493 A named person to monitor the provision of services in accordance with the Plan.
493 </li>
494 </ol>
495 <p>
495 Special Guardianship Support will be subject to the approval of the Designated Manager (Special
Guardianship Support).
495 </p>
496 <p>
496 Once the necessary approval has been obtained, the social worker must send the proposed plan to
the person requesting support, and allow 28 days for that person to make representations about the
proposed plan. The social worker should also give information to the person concerned about who to
contact to obtain independent advice and advocacy.
496 </p>
497 <p>
497 Where representations are received, they should be referred to the Designated Manager (Special
Guardianship Support) to decide whether to amend or confirm the Plan. The allocated social worker
must then write to the person concerned setting out the final Plan.
497 </p>
498 <h3 id="rev_spec_guard">
498 13. Review of Special Guardianship Support Plans
498 </h3>
499 <p>
499 Special Guardianship Support Plans must be reviewed taking into account the following:
499 </p>
500 <ul>
501 <li>
501 Any change of circumstances affecting the support;
501 </li>
502 <li>
502 At whichever stage of implementation of the plan is considered most appropriate;
502 </li>
503 <li>
503 In any event at least annually.
503 </li>
504 </ul>
505 <p>
505 The reviews may be a paper exercise where there is no change or a minor change in circumstances.
However, if there is a substantial change of circumstances, e.g. a serious change in the behaviour
of the child, it would normally be necessary to conduct a new assessment of needs.
505 </p>
506 <p>
506 Any change to the Special Guardianship Support Plan will be subject to the approval of the
Designated Manager (Special Guardianship Support). Local arrangements will determine whether any
additional approval is required for changes to financial support.
506 </p>
507 <p>
507 If the local authority decides to vary or terminate the provision of support after the review,
notice in writing must be given and the person concerned should be given 28 days to make
representations.
507 </p>
508 <h3 id="financial_support">
508 14. Financial Support
508 </h3>
509 <p id="general">
509 <a href="files/final_sgo_policy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
509 Click here to view the Special Guardianship Financial Support Policy
509 </a>
509 .
509 </p>
510 <h3 id="urgent_cases">
510 15. Urgent Cases
510 </h3>
511 <p>
511 Where a person has an urgent need of a service, the assessment process should not delay provision
and arrangements can be made for support to be provided as a matter of urgency in appropriate
cases. The approval of the Designated Manager (Special Guardianship Support) will still be
required. The local authority will need to review the provision as soon as possible after the
support has been provided in accordance with the procedures set out above.
511 </p>
512 <h3 id="special_guard">
512 16. Special Guardian Duty on the Death of the Child
512 </h3>
513 <p>
513 If the child with respect to whom a Special Guardianship Order is in force dies, the Special
Guardian must take reasonable steps to give notice of that fact to:
513 </p>
514 <ul>
515 <li>
515 Each parent of the child with Parental Responsibility; and
515 </li>
516 <li>
516 Each guardian of the child.
516 </li>
517 </ul>
518 <h3 id="appendices">
518 Appendices
518 </h3>
519 <p>
519 The first 4 appendices for this chapter can be found on Bexley's local directory.
519 </p>
520 <ul>
521 <li>
521 Appendix 1: Financial Support Application Form;
521 </li>
522 <li>
522 Appendix 2: Special Guardian Allowance Review of Child's Needs;
522 </li>
523 <li>
523 Appendix 3: Post Special Guardian Support Assessment of Need;
523 </li>
524 <li>
524 Appendix 4: Outcome of Special Guardianship Allowance Review Letter.
524 </li>
525 </ul>
526 <p>
526 Please see: N:\Directorate of Social & Community Services\Children & Families\Strategies
Policies & Procedures\Adoption and Permanence
526 </p>
527 <h3 id="app5">
527 Appendix 5: Good Practice: Getting it Right First Time
527 </h3>
528 <p>
528 The following suggested good practice is taken from the
528 <a href="https://www.lgo.org.uk/information-centre/reports/focus-reports" target="_blank"
rel="noopener">
528 Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report Firm Foundations: Complaints about Council
Support and Advice for Special Guardians
528 </a>
528 (May 2018).
528 </p>
529 <p>
529 The following is not an exhaustive list but sets out some of the positive steps councils can take:
529 </p>
530 <ul>
531 <li>
531 Give early, clear and unambiguous advice to people who are considering becoming special
guardians. Consider how this can:
532 <ul>
533 <li>
533 Explain what is special guardianship and what this means for parental responsibility, legal
security and stability;
533 </li>
534 <li>
534 Explain the council's role and that of the court;
534 </li>
535 <li>
535 Set out who can apply to be a special guardian and what alternatives could be more suitable;
535 </li>
536 <li>
536 Make the process of applying to be a special guardian clear, including the role of the
council in writing a report to court;
536 </li>
537 <li>
537 Explain the assessment process before becoming a special guardian. Explain that applicants
may need to complete some training.
537 </li>
538 </ul>
539 </li>
540 <li>
540 Be as clear as possible about the support that might be available and how the council will
assess the applicant's support needs;
540 </li>
541 <li>
541 Be as unambiguous as possible about the fixed term duration of support and what it is likely to
be used for;
541 </li>
542 <li>
542 Back up verbal advice and guidance in writing wherever possible, particularly where this may
have long term consequences;
542 </li>
543 <li>
543 Manage expectations early on, for example where special guardians expect ongoing support or help
with major personal expenditure;
543 </li>
544 <li>
544 Be as clear as possible with applicants that any support may be time limited;
544 </li>
545 <li>
545 Develop advice for social workers involved in supporting potential and actual special guardians.
This could include:
546 <ul>
547 <li>
547 A flow chart showing responsibilities at key stages such as suitability assessment,
financial assessment, permanence panel and court;
547 </li>
548 <li>
548 A checklist of things to cover at first assessment visit (for example explaining the process
and financial situation);
548 </li>
549 <li>
549 A summary of the SGO assessment process including child information (for example attachment
issues and any early neglect or trauma), carers information (for example current
relationship and stability).
549 </li>
550 </ul>
551 </li>
552 <li>
552 Keep clear and transparent records of contact with special guardians. This is always important,
particularly where guardians will probably be supported by several different social workers and
other officers over several years;
552 </li>
553 <li>
553 Write support plans that are clear, in plain English and set actions that are as specific,
measurable and achievable as possible so the council and guardian can review progress;
553 </li>
554 <li>
554 Make sure support plans:
555 <ul>
556 <li>
556 Are shared, discussed and agreed with special guardians, and this is well documented;
556 </li>
557 <li>
557 Are written so that they are easy to evaluate and keep under review. It should be easy for
the council and guardian to decide whether all the support has been provided;
557 </li>
558 <li>
558 Are regularly reviewed and kept up to date. Make sure plans continue to meet the child's
needs as they change;
558 </li>
559 <li>
559 Set out the approach to calculating special guardianship allowance. Explain this at the
earliest stage as possible, making clear this will be reviewed and depend on evidence of
continuing needs;
559 </li>
560 <li>
560 Keep the best interests of the child at the forefront of decision making.
560 </li>
561 </ul>
562 </li>
563 </ul>
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