Family Rights Group | Kinship carers’ Forum

Hi

We have held an SGO for our GD for 16 years - she has SEND and an EHCP (after a 3 year battle to obtain one!) she attends a specialist independent school for EDT and autism.

I have questions that I cannot find answers to and wondered if anyone here has been through the 18 years of age window with the SGO.

As with my own children things were not just 'cut off' at age 18 - just because the SGO ends does not mean we simply stop caring and supporting etc. especially with autism, EDT, SPD and so on.... so can we expect any kind of support following 18 years of age? We will still be her next of kin etc....

With education and the EHCP she can expect this to be in place up to the age of 25 - so if this is the case, surely there should be continued support from the LA too if remaining in education....

Does anyone have any experience of this at all?

Thanks in advance.

Dear Justacarer

Thank you for your post and welcome to the Board.

You ask whether there would be support for your granddaughter post 18 when the SGO comes to an end.

Your granddaughter may qualify under the ‘staying put’ rules, please see our website for a definition of this terminology here.

Your questions about your granddaughter’s ECHP, may be answered by a charity called Contact, please see their website.

Finally, and if applicable adult social care may be able to assess your granddaughter, here is the Government’s webpage where you might find your local authority service.

Best wishes

Suzie