Special Guardianship Order Solicitors

It’s a court order that can be granted when you’re caring for a child until they turn 18. It doesn’t take away parental responsibility from the child’s parents but gives you the main say in day-to-day decisions about the child’s well-being. 

SGOs are often made to give children a secure home when they don’t live with their parents, without cutting ties with their birth parents. 

You can apply if you are: 

• The child’s guardian.   
• Someone who had a child arrangement order for the child.
• A Local Authority foster parent who cared for the child for at least one year before applying.   
• A relative who lived with the child for at least one year before applying.   
• If the child is in the care of the Local Authority, someone with their consent.   
• Anyone who lived with the child for at least three out of the last five years.   
• Someone who received court permission.   
• You can’t apply for special guardianship if you are under 18 or the child’s parent.  

If you’ve already expressed your desire to be a special guardian during ongoing care proceedings, a separate application may not be needed. If there are no existing proceedings, you will need to inform the Local Authority in writing that you want to be assessed. They should complete the assessment within three months. They will provide a written report considering your financial situation and eligibility for financial assistance. 

If granted, you’ll have overriding parental responsibility, allowing you to make welfare decisions for the child. Some decisions still need the consent of others with parental responsibility, such as changing the child’s name, taking them out of the country for more than 3 months, or adoption.