Special guardianship: Support we give you
Find out about how we assess your family's needs and what support is available for special guardians.
How we assess your needs
If the child was looked after by Liverpool City Council before the SGO was granted, we have a duty to assess the support needs of special guardianship families.
If the child was not looked after by us, you can still ask us to assess your needs. Please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.
Once we have assessed the needs of the special guardian, child or birth relative, we will prepare the written plan, known as the support plan.
If you disagree with the support that is offered to you, you can make representations to Liverpool City Council, after which they will make a final decision.
Financial help we arrange
A social worker will assess your circumstances, decide what financial support you should get, and review it every year.
Special guardian allowance
If you are a special guardian, you may be able to get a special guardian allowance (SGA) from us. The special guardian allowance is discretionary, which means children’s services don’t have to pay it to you.
It is also means-tested, which means if you get it and how much you get will depend on your financial situation. See the Special Guardianship Regulations 2005 (GOV.UK) for more information.
How to extend the SGA after 18
Unless a child goes into full-time education the SGA ends at 18. To extend payment, ask the school or college to send you an email or letter confirming the child's name, date of birth, the course they are studying, and when it ends. Forward this evidence to your social worker.
Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF)
We can apply for funds for a range of therapeutic services for eligible children and families.
We will look at this as an option when we assess your needs. Find out more about the ASGSF (GOV.UK).
Our Kinship Charter
Liverpool has taken a human rights-based approach to supporting Kinship carers.
This approach forms the basis of our Kinship Charter written in partnership with Kinship Carers Liverpool. Find out more about the charter (kinshipcarersliverpool.co.uk).
How to contact us
Call our Children’s Advice and Support Service (CASS) on 0151 459 2606. Please tell them you'd like to make a special guardianship support enquiry.
With your consent, any family member or a professional working with your family can make a request for support.