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Provision of special guardianship support services

5.—(1) In regulation 3 (provision of special guardianship support services)—

(a)in paragraph (1)(e)(ii), for “respite care” substitute “short breaks”; and

(b)paragraph (2) is omitted.

(2) After regulation 3 insert—

Services for persons outside the area

3A.(1) Section 14F of the Act (special guardianship support services) applies to a local authority in respect of the following persons who are outside the local authority area—

(a)a relevant child who is looked after by the local authority or was looked after by the local authority immediately before the making of a special guardianship order;

(b)a special guardian or prospective special guardian of such a child;

(c)a child of a special guardian or prospective special guardian mentioned in sub-paragraph (b).

(2) But section 14F ceases to apply at the end of the period of three years from the date of the special guardianship order except in a case where the local authority are providing financial support under Part 3 and the decision to provide that support was made before the making of the order.

(3) The local authority providing special guardianship support services to a person who falls within those listed in regulation 3A(1)(a) to (c) must, not later than three months before the end of the three year period referred to in paragraph (2)—

(a)review the special guardianship support services provided to that person;

(b)notify the local authority where that person lives of any continuing need for special guardianship support services; and

(c)refer that person to relevant local information, advice and assistance.

(4) Nothing in this regulation prevents a local authority from providing special guardianship support services to persons outside their area where they consider it appropriate to do so.