03/11/2020 - Permalink

Views sought about new policy on support for Special Guardians

Related topics: Children's services

Shropshire Council is asking for thoughts and feedback about a draft policy that aims to provide information about the financial support available to families offering a permanent home to a child through Special Guardianship.

A special guardianship order (SGO) is an order made by the court appointing one or more individuals to be a child’s ‘special guardian’. Special Guardianship is able to provide a permanent care arrangement for children needing permanent care outside their immediate birth family.

A six-week consultation beginning today (Tuesday 3 November 2020) and ending on Monday 14 December has been launched to seek people’s views, before the updated policy is formally approved and implemented.

Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“The updated policy reflects national developments such as welfare payments, emerging good practice from other councils, and feedback from local people. Other councils have gone through a similar exercise over recent years, so we’re now going through a process that many other councils have already carried out.

“It’s really important that we receive as many comments and contributions as possible, so I encourage people to read the document and tell us what they think.”

The changes, based on a review, are designed to:

  • Clearly set out and explain Shropshire Council’s policy and procedures.
  • Bring the policy document up to date with national developments.
  • Ensure the policy is equitable and fair.
  • Support improvement in the assessment and review of allowances.

The impact of these changes will vary case by case, and those with existing Special Guardianship Allowances may find allowances change at the time of review, but each will be assessed on an individual basis.

All of the feedback gathered through the consultation will be collated into a feedback report, which will be presented to Shropshire Council’s Cabinet alongside the final policy document for consideration.

To take part in the consultation, click here to visit the Shropshire Council website.