This refers to means-tested financial help for special guardians. Children’s services may pay this allowance to support a special guardian. They do not have to pay any allowance to a special guardian, but can do to support the child’s placement.
Some special guardians may have been foster carers for the child before becoming a special guardian. If they received a fostering allowance for the child, they may get a higher rate of special guardianship allowance. This would only apply for the first two years.
Special guardianship allowance is exempt from the ‘benefits cap’ introduced in November 2016. If someone is in receipt of special guardianship allowance, it does not count towards their total benefits for the purposes of the cap.