Where parents are found to be unable to care for their children, research has shown that care within their wider family, or by connected carers, can lead to much more positive options. And for parents this can mean a more flexible approach to contact in the longer term, with decision in the hands of the special guardian.

Special Guardianship is a huge commitment. Carers need to be identified very early in the care proceedings (if not at the PLO stage) and, after an initial viability assessment, they can anticipate an intrusive and exhausting assessment process over three months. This is intended to allow time for reflection. The local authority also needs to put in place a support plan which realistically meets the needs of the child and their new carers.

Together with a viability assessment, potential carers may be assessed in the short term as Regulation 24 carers, before being assessed, trained  and approved at a later stage as foster carers.

Family carers may not be eligible for public funding without regard to means. Often their instructions come up very late in proceedings. We are experienced in dealing with that.

We are ready, willing and able to act for them. We will rigorously test any support arrangements. We will sensitively explore any challenges to their care raised in the evidence, and we can consider with them the alternative arrangements which could be appropriate, including as long term foster carers. And we can advise as to managing sometimes difficult relationships with a child’s birth parents.