Kinship Local Offer
Our Kinship Local Offer sets out how we will help kinship carers, to give children and young people the best possible family experience whatever the child’s legal status, needs and circumstances.
Financial support
Regular payments
Special guardians can be assessed to receive the national means-tested allowance. The allowance is paid weekly and is dependent on the child’s age.
Carers who have been through social care proceedings are eligible for this payment.
Year 1 and 2 payment and post-2 years payment
In year 1 and 2 of a Southwark foster carer becoming a Southwark special guardian, they can receive the same fostering fee and child’s allowance that they were receiving before the special guardianship order was granted.
Post-2 years special guardians will receive a means-tested payment.
Carers who have been previously assessed as a regulation 27 carer are eligible for this payment.
One-off payments
Special guardians can request a setting-up payment of up to £750 for when a kinship child comes to live with them.
Carers who have been through social care proceedings are eligible for this payment.