bringing up grandchildren

gizmo111

What is the legal status of your grandchildren - what do you claim for them?

puddy

how did you get pr for the children, has this already been through the courts?

why cant you apply for special guardianship, it comes with a financial package which is negotiated with the la

gizmo111

puddy wrote: »

how did you get pr for the children, has this already been through the courts?

why cant you apply for special guardianship, it comes with a financial package which is negotiated with the la

It won't if they apply themselves - the LA will have to do the assessment but these are not children in care so they will have no responsibility for them and won't offer finance. It seems these children have already been through the system and assuming they are on a residence order then the OP can claim child benefit and tax credits.

puddy

i have done many SGO assessments, some were for children already in care, some were children we had no knowledge of, finances had to be put in place for all (with much arguing), however, this was back in the day when they were first created (2005ish) and Im not sure our LA knew what their exact duty was

I was on some training for them again recently but wasnt really paying attention in the second half if Im honest and missed exactly what was said about financial packages, it seemed contradictory, but I was left with an impression that it didnt make a difference how the SGO was applied for. the potential guardian is always the applicant anyway

gizmo111

puddy wrote: »

i have done many SGO assessments, some were for children already in care, some were children we had no knowledge of, finances had to be put in place for all (with much arguing), however, this was back in the day when they were first created (2005ish) and Im not sure our LA knew what their exact duty was

I was on some training for them again recently but wasnt really paying attention in the second half if Im honest and missed exactly what was said about financial packages, it seemed contradictory, but I was left with an impression that it didnt make a difference how the SGO was applied for. the potential guardian is always the applicant anyway

I think the whole SGO finance thing is a nightmare. If the grandparents apply to discharge the RO and opt for a SGO nothing will change for the children and onthat basis the LA that I work wouldn't offer financial support but equally had we placed on RO then we would have made payments on this order.
It is difficult to advise OP as she is not saying what order they are placed on or what she is claiming - trouble is she is not providing adequate care for the children and is opening up a whole new CP case!

Racheldevon

I think you mentioned one of your grandchildren is 5 - I wonder if you can contact your local health visitor, who might be able to provide you with some guidance on local welfare trusts etc - we use them a lot at work, and they provide various support. In the same way you'd be eligible to come under your local sure start children's centre - have a look online & get in touch maybe with your local centre - free services for 0-5 years and I know we work closely with lots of agencies - some of whom might be able to provide some support/guidance.

In our LA we have a private fostering team - but I'm not sure whether this would apply as you're technically a relative - but they might be able to point you in the right direction