A Special Guardianship Order (or SGO) is very often the final stage of the Care Proceedings process and represents a more positive alternative to the child being placed into care.
A Special Guardianship Order (or SGO) is very often the final stage of the Care Proceedings process and represents a more positive alternative to the child being placed into care. The Special Guardianship Order means that the Court direct the child to live with an appointed ‘special guardian’ until they are 18 years old. This will often be a Grandparent, another relative of the child or in some circumstances a family friend.
The special guardian acquires enhanced parental responsibility for the child during the term of the order, giving them the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing. An SGO is a long-term order, and the special guardian will receive support from the Local Authority in the form of a support plan. This includes any financial support that the special guardians are entitled to.
Prior to the Special Guardianship Order being made; the Children’s Guardian from CAFCASS would wish to undertake their own enquiries and would want to ensure children’s services have done all of the relevant checks on the proposed special guardian, and that the proposed special guardian is receiving the right level of support to meet the needs of the child before approving a care plan for special guardianship.
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