Special Guardianship Order and Savings

This is the 3rd thread on this subject

I know Charleygirl. I'm fairly new to the site and was advised to put it on this part of the site as it would reach more people.

Sorry, I did not mean to be rude. I did not realise that you are fairly new and finding your way around.

I would suggest Googling your local authority's policy on this, SueBee47.

We found ourselves under pressure to take an SGO, (not our grandchild, though) but when we looked at the financial implications, decided to stick with a fostering arrangement. Is this an option for you?

It's the Local Authority that is putting us forward for an SGO. We have to go through the whole fostering process even though it's our grandchild that we are applying to look after but we will be down as SGO's and not foster carers.

We have to fill out a financial statement as they pay us something (not the reason we are applying though) but it's means tested and we do not know how much savings we are allowed before they reduce the payment. We do not have much in the way of savings and they may get eaten up in lawyers fees but would just like to know what we should expect.

TIA

SueBee47

I see! In our case,the local authority were extremely keen to 'persuade' us to do this. It means that the child is no longer on their books as a 'looked after' child, and of course, they don't have to pay as much. We stuck to our guns on the basis that once means testing was introduced, we would get very little - if any - financial assistance. It's not about making money, it's about not being financially disadvantaged as well as all the other aspects of caring for a child in these circumstances. Good luck!!!

sueBee47 Look at the following
kinshipcarers.co.uk/Financial-Support.php. There is a lot of information and if you scroll down to the bottom of the page for this website you will find several links.

However it is very difficult to find anything on line about capital and savings limits for relaties applying for an SGO. I suggest you visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Their address will be available online. Their assistance is free and, if necessary, they can access specialist advisors to help you.

Local Authorities are keen for kinship carers to apply for SGO because it relieves the la of ongoing responsibility, both financial and practical. LA's are of course under dreadful financial pressures, as well as which they'll rely on research that confirms children do better out of the 'care system'.

Look at the links provided SueBees and also at the Family Rights Group website. I do feel it's unfair that grandparents and other relatives who have saved for their retirement can be penalised financially when they are saving the rest of us huge amounts of money and resources in taking responsibility for their family or loved ones.

My feelings exactly, Iam!!! I understand th financial pressures, but it's unreasonable to expect kinship carers to bear the brunt, when their lives have been turned upside as it is! I'd resist it at all costs!!!

Yes hummingbird, agree! Many kinship carers are responsible for children for whom permanency (i.e. long term fostering or adoption) would be difficult, if not impossible to find. These children and their carers need access to therapeutic services at many points during the children's lives. Cuts to children's mental health services, as well as children's services generally mean that accessing any support is becoming nigh on impossible.
I'll stop before a real rant takes over.

It winds me up, too, Iam!!! ?