standardisedmeanstestmodelforadoption.docVIP

STANDARDISED MEANS TEST MODEL FOR ADOPTION AND SPECIAL GUARDIANSHIP FINANCIAL SUPPORT Introduction The Department for Education and Skills has developed a model means test for adoption and special guardianship financial support. The model has been tested with various local authorities and modifications made as a result. Please note that this test is a suggested model only. It is not a statutory requirement for local authorities to use this model in place of their existing system. However, we do recommend its use by local authorities, as we believe that the model developed is fair and that adoptive or special guardian families would benefit from a consistent approach by local authorities. The model proposed is intended to deliver a standard approach to arriving at adoption support or special guardianship support payments (if not always a standard payment), so that adopters and special guardians are treated equitably within the context of what is affordable within existing local authority budgets. For any queries about the model, please contact the Adoption Team on xxxxxxxx.xxxx@xxxx.xxx.xxx.xx. Guidance on using means test model General The model is based on disposable income, and so provides a thorough analysis of the family’s financial situation. Key principles of the test are set out in this section. The regulations on adoption and special guardianship support services set out that there must be no reward element in financial payments other than as a transitional provision for foster carers adopting or becoming special guardians for a child for whom they are currently caring. The overall approach used in the test is a ‘snapshot’ of the family’s current circumstances. By this, we mean that if the adopted or special guardian child is already living with the prospective adopters or adoptive parents/special guardian, then the child should be included in the calculations. If the child is not yet placed with the prospective adopters/sp