Special guardianship order

A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) may be appropriate for children who do not want to be legally separated from their birth family, but would benefit from greater legal security and permanence in thier new home.

An SGO is particularly appropriate where birth parents, or others with parental responsibility, cannot provide a permanent home but the child's link with the birth family needs to be preserved.

If you wish to apply for an SGO you will need to contact your local Social Services Department, in writing, and inform them of this. The Local Authority (Social Services Department) has to prepare a detailed report for the Court about your suitability to be a Special Guardian to a child.

A Special Guardian must be aged over 18 years and not be the child's parent. Joint applicants for an SGO do not have to be married.

If you wish to become a Special Guardian for a child but you require financial and other support services then the Local Authority (Social Services) are duty bound to investigate and assess this and state the support that they will provide for you, including financial support.

We can fully advise you in relation to a Special Guardianship Order and fully support you throughout the process.