What is a breakdown in the child's family
The breakdown of a child's family involves a failure or collapse of the normal family dynamics that results in no natural, adoptive, or step-parent being able to fulfil their role as parents to their child or children.
For Sole Parent Support, a child’s family means their parents (natural, adoptive, or step-parent) and any siblings living with them at the time of the family breakdown.
Note not all traumatic events within a family will result in a breakdown of a child's family.
Family able to support
In times of a crisis, a child may not be able to reside with their parents. Close family members or friends may take care of the child.
The new caregivers should approach the child's parents in the first instance for financial support.
The parents could still be able to support the child financially.
A crisis does not necessarily mean a breakdown of the child's family. There is also a possibility the child may not be in the applicant's care for at least 1 year.
Client would like to be the principal caregiver
When a person (for example a grandparent) would like to be the child's principal caregiver but there is a natural, adoptive or step-parent able to provide care for the child, it is not appropriate to consider the child as a dependent child for Sole Parent Support.
