Financial support for special guardianship kinship carers

If a child is cared for by us immediately prior to a special guardianship order

If a child is cared for by us (the local authority) immediately prior to a special guardianship order, we have a responsibility to assess the support needs of the child, parents and special guardians, This includes the need for financial support. A financial assessment will be undertaken, and a draft support plan will be set out and fully discussed with the special guardian before the order is made. 

Parents remain financially liable for a child who is subject to a special guardianship order although special guardians also gain responsibility to financially support the child by virtue of gaining parental responsibility. 

Where a child was being cared for by us immediately prior to a special guardianship order and a Fostering Allowance was being paid to the kinship foster carers, we will continue to pay the allowance as a Special Guardianship Allowance. 

The Special Guardianship Allowance is based on the government’s recommended national minimum Fostering Allowance.

For a Special Guardianship Allowance to continue to be payable until the child or young person turns 18 years old, an annual statement is required from the special guardian. This must confirm the child’s continued residence with them, and attendance in full time education. 

Kinship carers who receive an allowance are expected to notify the local authority if the child leaves their care or commences full time employment, to enable arrangements to be made to end the allowance.  

If a child was not cared for by us immediately prior to a special guardianship order

If a child was not cared for by us prior to the making of the special guardianship order, we may carry out an assessment if requested. The assessment will determine whether support, including financial support is required to support the placement.  

If a special guardian is claiming Child Benefits 

Special guardians can claim Child Benefit. The equivalent amount of Child Benefit will be deducted from the Special Guardianship Allowance for anyone who is entitled to claim Child Benefit. 

The equivalent to Child Benefit is not deducted for those special guardians receiving means tested benefit or receiving a State Pension as their only income, provided they are able to provide evidence of this at the annual financial review. If the special guardian falls into the Child Benefit High Income Threshold, the Child Benefit rate will be deducted from their Special Guardianship Allowance. 

If a special guardian is experiencing financial hardship 

Special guardians should notify us if they are experiencing real financial hardship for a period and consider the children's welfare might be affected or put at risk. We will conduct a financial assessment of the special guardian's circumstances. 

We will also conduct an assessment under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 of the children's needs, considering the resources of the family to meet those needs. If there is real financial hardship that would put the children's welfare at risk, we would ensure the children's basic needs are met, whilst undertaking these assessments.