Special guardian SGO / post kinship order support

When children cannot live with their birth parents, special guardians and kinship carers on other orders such as child arrangements, care for the children and provide them with a stable and loving home environment. 

The kinship carer's journey can be demanding, facing challenges like managing relationships with birth family, family time (used to be called contact) and supporting children with complex needs.

The post kinship order support team provide guidance and support to improve outcomes for children and make sure that kinship carers have the support they need to succeed in their vital role. 

The services on offer: 

• information and guidance including signposting to local community resources for support and advice
• advice line - experienced team to provide support
• educational support - attend educational meetings with special guardians; help schools understand trauma and provide strategies for success
• community and peer support - meet other special guardians, foster and kinship foster carers in person across the district and online
• family time - we'll help you think how to organise family time in a way that fits with you, but we can't do risk assessments, supervise or change court-agreed arrangements
• health and leisure - join in fostering enrichment family activities like swimming, cinema trips and days out
• assessment of need - if therapeutic intervention* is appropriate, we will provide a comprehensive assessment

*therapeutic intervention is only available through the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund. For more info about the ASGSF, search www.gov.uk for eligibility.
 
Other useful resources are: 
Kinship www.kinship.org.uk
Separating Better www.oneplusone.org.uk/separating-better
Your Family Matters www.yourfamilymatters.org.uk/our-services