I am a Special Guardian

The Family Connections Service provides free guidance, advice and support to Hampshire County Council's Special Guardians. We aim to help with all queries, big or small, and signpost you to other relevant services that may be able to help.

What does the Family Connections Service offer?

Weekly drop-in sessions: Special Guardians can book onto weekly drop-in sessions to speak to a member of the Family Connections Service for advice and guidance. To request an appointment please email: [email protected].

Support groups: The service runs support groups across Hampshire, these are an opportunity to meet with other Special Guardians and a member of the Family Connections Service for advice, guidance and peer support.

The groups take place:

• in Andover on the first Wednesday of the month
• in Basingstoke on the fourth Thursday of the month
• in Eastleigh on the third Thursday of the month
• in Fareham on the second Friday of the month
• in Havant on the first Thursday of the month
• in Liphook on the second Thursday of the month
• in Totton on the fourth Wednesday of the month

Virtually:

• morning: first Wednesday of the month
• evening: first Tuesday of the month

For more information on these support groups, please contact the Family Connections Service.

There are also training and information sessions available for Special Guardians to attend, these could be full day training sessions or shorter lite bites over lunch time. These cover a range of themes and topics including:

• life story
• attachment
• supporting children who have experienced trauma

These sessions are shared with Special Guardians via our newsletter. To sign up to the newsletter please complete this form.

If a child was in the care of the local authority immediately before the Special Guardianship Order was granted, they could also receive therapeutic support via the Adoption Support Fund , may be eligible for Pupil Premium and an Education Support Plan.

For more information on any of the support available please contact the Family Connections Service.

We have a newsletter that we use to share information, training opportunities and helpful hints that you may find useful. Please complete our subscription form to sign up to receive updates.

The team are here to support you, contact them using our email address [email protected].