Financial support
After an SGO is made, the child’s parents are still legally responsible for providing financially for their child but, in reality, this may not happen as they are unable or do not want to provide this support. If they are in work but they are not contributing, the Child Maintenance Service could help.
It may be possible to make an application to the Local Authority for financial support through a special guardianship allowance but financial support is not guaranteed. Financial support would be means tested and children’s services will decide what amount shall be received and they will review it annually.
The Special Guardianship Regulations 2005 Regulation 6 sets out the circumstances in which financial support it paid. Financial support is offered to help secure a suitable special guardianship order and benefit a child’s welfare, when such an arrangement could not be readily made due to a financial obstacle.
It is also worth checking eligibility for other government benefits including Universal Credit and Child Benefit. Kinship give more details about special guardianship financial support and benefits.
For further support, Citizens Advice can help review individual circumstances to ensure the correct level of benefits are being received.