A report by the Group Manager for Adoption and Fostering provided an update of the progress achieved since the previous report in March 2016 regarding the assessment of potential Special Guardianships and Post Special Guardianship support offered throughout childhood.

Members heard how the recently published Special Guardianship (amendment) regulations 2016 had set out the requirement for a stronger evidence base for the assessment, stating an assessment of the prospective special guardian’s parenting capacity including:

(i)  Their understanding of , and ability to meet the child’s current and likely future needs, particularly, and needs the child may have arising from harm that the child has suffered;

(ii)  Their understanding of, and ability to protect the child from any current or future risk of harm posed by the child’s parents, relatives or any other person the local authority consider, relevant, particularly in relation to contact between said person and child; and

(iii)  Their ability and sustainability to bring up the child until the child reaches the age of eighteen.

Members were advised that the above amendments are required by the social worker to be explicitly addressed in compiling court reports. In addition, this report also requires an assessment of the nature of the prospective Special Guardian’s current and past relationship with the child.

Members then heard how since September 2016, Permanence Panel has had 30 cases presented for a recommendation regarding applications for Special Guardianship Orders and 29 of those cases had been approved as Foster Carers prior to being presented to the Panel. It was also reported that the Department for Education had recently brought in requirements of all local authorities to report on the number of Special Guardianship Orders granted on a quarterly basis and details such as the relationship the special guardian has with the child must be included.

The Group Manager for Fostering and Adoption informed the Committee that in Spring 2016 the Government extended access to the Adoption Support Fund to include children subject to a Special Guardianship Order who have previously been Looked After by the Local Authority. A newsletter had been sent to all of Wirral’s Special Guardians explaining the changes to the Adoption Support Fund, with details of how to apply. Members heard how the response nationally to the use of the Adoption Support Fund to extend to Special Guardianship exceeded expectations and concerns were raised regarding the Governments budget for the fund not being able to meet the needs of all those making applications. In order to address this, the Government introduced a ‘Fair Access Limit’ of £5000 per child per year, locally, the fair access limit and match funding had not been required.

The Committee were informed that Wirral Grandcare (formally known as Bringing up Grandchildren), an independent support group and network had developed to include all connected carers, rather than grandparents alone. The group had met Social Workers from the Adoption and Permanence service regularly and their groups provide support, advice, newsletters, training and signposting. From this group two members have accessed the adoption support fund to attend the therapeutic training course, SafeBase and have passed on their learning to other carers through the support groups. The group also has a small library of books covering a variety of subjects pertinent to caring for children who have suffered trauma and loss.

In response to questions from Members, the Committee were advised that if a child has been placed in Wirral with their Special Guardian but had originally come from another area, then the information should be shared and a support plan should be in place.

Resolved – That the Committee note the contents of the report.