stay kinship care or go for GSO

[Bumblebee]

having talked to SW myself and my husband are thinking of going for GSO

the child in question is doing well at school, loves us and my kids to bits,only problem is contact when the child doesn't speak to us for a few hrs after his supervised contact,(but its only 2 times yr anyway)

1. could we get supervised contact done, or would i have to do it.(which i dont do and never done in 5 yrs)

2.would we get financial support and is it up until there 18 or only for two years from court hearing.

3. if we didnt like the package we was offred of LA could we disagree with it and stay as kinship carers, or is it once its in progress theres no going back..

lov the site by the way.. well done.

[fatcat]

hi, and welcome to the site.

forst off, it would be a good idea to ask the LA to fund your legal representation. that way you can get legal advice regarding your position.

in answer to your questions

1 a special guardianship support plan would set out the LA obligation to you and the child until the chid is 18. part of the support package is contact, and you could get it agreed that the LA will continue to supervise contact.

2 the Local Authority can offer financial support up until the child reaches 18, although this is discretionary. your solicitor could help with the negotiations.

3 you would be within your rights to withdraw the application, if made,although you could alert the court to the possibility that the LA is not playing fair.

i strongly advise you to get the funding for a solicitor.

good luck