Who can apply for a special guardianship allowance?

A special guardianship allowance can generally be requested by a person who is applying to become a special guardian or by someone who already holds a Special Guardianship Order (SGO). The allowance is not automatic: the responsible local authority must consider the child’s needs, the guardian’s circumstances and the relevant legal and financial support rules before deciding whether assistance should be provided.

People who may be able to apply include:

• Prospective special guardians who are being assessed, or who have applied, for an SGO.
• Existing special guardians who already have an SGO and need financial support to meet the child’s ongoing needs.
• Relatives and connected persons , such as grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles or family friends, where they are caring for a child or are being considered as the child’s permanent carer.
• Former foster carers who are applying for an SGO for a child they have been caring for, where the local authority’s support arrangements allow an allowance to be considered.
• One adult or two joint applicants , provided they meet the legal requirements for applying for an SGO and are considered suitable to care for the child.

To apply for an SGO, an individual must normally be at least 18 and must not be the child’s parent. A special guardian may be a relative, another person connected with the child or, in some circumstances, someone who has developed a significant relationship with the child. Meeting these basic requirements does not create an automatic right to an allowance. The child’s welfare and the proposed care arrangement remain central to the assessment.

Who should make the request?

The request should usually be made to the local authority that is assessing the special guardianship arrangement or has responsibility for the child’s care and support. This may be different from the authority where the applicant lives. For example, a relative living in one area may need to work with the authority responsible for a child who is looked after in another area.

If the child is already living with the applicant, the request can be raised as part of the SGO assessment. If an order has already been made, the special guardian can ask the relevant authority to assess their need for financial support. It is sensible to make the request in writing and explain the child’s circumstances, the costs involved and any changes that have affected the household’s ability to meet those costs.

What does the authority consider?

The local authority will normally look at the child’s needs and the proposed guardian’s financial position. This can include the child’s age, health, education, disability or additional support needs, as well as the costs of maintaining a stable placement. The authority may also consider household income, benefits, outgoings, savings and other available resources. The assessment should take account of the full circumstances rather than treating the applicant’s relationship to the child as the only deciding factor.

Where a child was previously looked after, or where the placement has involved public care services, additional rules may apply to the assessment and to which authority is responsible. The authority may also consider whether other support is available, including practical help, therapeutic services or assistance with specific costs. An allowance may therefore form part of a wider support plan rather than being considered in isolation.

Can a parent apply?

A child’s parent cannot normally become the child’s special guardian, so a parent would not usually apply for a special guardianship allowance in the same way as a relative or connected carer. Parents may, however, be involved in the court and support-planning process, subject to the child’s circumstances and any restrictions in place. If a person’s legal relationship with the child is unusual or unclear, they should ask the responsible local authority or a family law adviser to confirm which application route applies.

How to begin an application

• Contact the local authority’s children’s services or special guardianship team and explain whether you are considering an SGO or already hold one.
• Ask for the financial support assessment to be included in the special guardianship assessment, or request a separate assessment if the order has already been made.
• Provide accurate information about the child’s needs, your household finances and the costs of caring for the child.
• Ask for the decision and the reasons for it in writing, including any conditions attached to the support.
• If your circumstances change, tell the local authority and ask whether the allowance or wider support package should be reviewed.

A special guardian does not have to be receiving an allowance to hold an SGO. Equally, being approved as a suitable special guardian does not guarantee financial assistance. The outcome depends on the assessment, the child’s needs, the applicant’s circumstances and the local authority’s duties and policy. Independent legal or specialist kinship-care advice can be helpful where responsibility is disputed, the proposed arrangement is complex or an application for support has been refused.