Special Guardianship Orders

Sometimes a child can’t live with their birth parents, but adoption isn’t the right answer either. A Special Guardianship Order can give a child a stable, legally secure home while keeping their connection to their birth family.

A Special Guardianship Order appoints one or more people, often a grandparent, other family member or close family friend, as a child’s Special Guardian. The Special Guardian doesn’t need to be related to the child, though they often are.

The order gives the Special Guardian parental responsibility, so they can make the day-to-day decisions a parent would, including about schooling and medical care. Unlike adoption, it doesn’t cut the child’s legal ties to their birth parents, who keep their own parental responsibility and, usually, an ongoing relationship with the child. Depending on your circumstances, the local authority may also be able to offer support, including counselling or financial help.

We can guide you through applying for a Special Guardianship Order, including the assessment process, and help you understand what the arrangement will mean in practice, for you and for the child.

A Special Guardianship Order gives a child stability without severing their family ties.