Accessing Support from PAC-UK
To meet the support needs of special guardianship families living in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey and Islington, the North London Fostering & Permanency Consortium (NLFPC) has commissioned a range of specialist services from PAC-UK, who are part of national charity Family Action.
These services are free to access and are available to all special guardians as well as professionals supporting children with a Special Guardianship Order in NLFPC boroughs. If you are a birth parent whose child/ren are being looked after by a Special Guardian, you can also access support from PAC-UK.
Under this offer from PAC-UK, you can self-refer via the PAC-UK Advice Line - more details and opening hours are listed at the bottom of this page - to access:
PAC-UK Advice Line & Education Advice Line - Access to Case Worker
Delivered by highly experienced PAC-UK staff who understand the practical, legal and psychological impact of special guardianship and can allocate you a PAC-UK case worker to support you further with these issues.
PAC-UK Counselling Services for Special Guardians & SGO Birth Parents
Counselling services for special guardians and birth parents whose children are placed under SGO can be accessed under the NLFPC contract with PAC-UK. Typically these would be delivered in six-session support packages.
PAC-UK Support Groups, Coffee Mornings, Events and SGSS Website
PAC-UK will be delivering coffee mornings and support groups (six per year) for Special Guardians, summer events for special guardianship children and young people and you can access their dedicated SGSS website.
PAC-UK Advice Line 0300 1800 090 | [email protected]
The PAC-UK Advice Line is a flexible, multi-functional, confidential and expert Monday to Friday service, operating during the day and on two evenings, to meet the varying needs of individuals, families and professionals – opening hours are:
Monday, Tuesday and Friday - 10.00am to 4.00pm
Wednesday and Thursday - 10.00am to 7.30pm
In addition, the PAC-UK Education Advice Line is open every Thursday 12.00noon to 2.00pm during time time only on the same number. Staffed by PAC-UK Education Advisers, this is an opportunity for special guardians to talk through any school or educational concerns and receive advice and support.
All PAC-UK Advice Line staff are experienced in adoption and permanency work and are qualified as social workers, therapists, psychologists or counsellors and are registered with the relevant professional bodies, Social Work England, UKCP etc. All have a background in social care and therapeutic services.
For more information about PAC-UK visit the PAC-UK website www.pac-uk.org or email advice@pac-uk.org - for education specific advice email [email protected].
PAC-UK Special Guardianship Support Service (SGSS) Website
The PAC-UK Special Guardianship Support Service (SGSS) website is a dedicated website containing comprehensive and up-to-date information and guidance, downloadable resources and signposting to other sources of support.
Areas covered on the SGSS website include; birth family contact and sibling interactions, helping a child to feel secure - how to manage transitions and the impact of domestic violence, working with schools, accessing financial support, managing birth family contact, supporting a child with a special need or health condition, how special guardians can take care of their health and wellbeing
As part of the contract NLFPC has with PAC-UK, all special guardians as well as professionals supporting children with a Special Guardianship Order in NLFPC boroughs can access this subscription website for free - email [email protected] and PAC-UK will setup your access account.