Related links
- Apply for special guardianship
- Assessment report
- Financial support
- Our support services
- The welfare checklist
Support plan
The special guardianship support plan is an important part of the assessment. It:
- specifies who is responsible for caring for the child or children
- includes information on how you will meet their health, education, contact, emotional and behavioural needs
- contains important information of who you can contact if you have any questions relating to your role as a special guardian
- includes the names and contact details of relevant persons in the local authority
Review of the support plan
The local authority must review the provision of services within the special guardianship support plan. As a minimum, the local authority must make contact with special guardians at least once a year.
A telephone call may be all that is needed when:
- there is an established and settled relationship between the guardian and the child
- there are no worries, difficulties or concerns
- the special guardianship arrangement is working well
No further advice, guidance or support may be required.
Alternatively, a social worker from the Permanence Team may arrange to visit the special guardian’s home. This could be where there is a complex package of support, or where a more robust review of the support plan is required.
During the review of the support plan, the local authority must take into account the same considerations as the original assessment.