Special Guardianship Assessment
Special Guardianship is a court order which allows parental control over a child by individuals other than the parent. They are usually made to members of the extended birth family or other significant people, such as a child’s long term foster carer.
Seen as an alternative to adoption or fostering, a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is a court order that provides a child with a legally secure and long-term placement when they can’t be cared for by their parents.
You will be responsible for looking after the child until they are 18 (unless the court takes your responsibility away earlier). You will make all day-to-day decisions about the child, for example schooling and medical treatment. You do not have to discuss these decisions with the birth parents.
To obtain an SGO, you need to undergo a Special Guardianship Assessment by our Independent Social Worker.
What is a Special Guardianship Assessment?
A Special Guardianship Assessment is a report used by the Family Courts to help make decisions about a child’s welfare and living situation.
Special Guardianship Assessment is completed in around 14 weeks and will see Social Workers carry out certain checks to ensure you can care for and protect the child.
The next step
Our Independent Social Workers have more than 20 years’ experience in assessments of this kind and can work with private individuals, local authorities and Family Law Solicitors.
Get in touch to find out more or fill in a referral.
FAQs
Yes, you will have both face to face and virtual visits with your allocated Independent Social Worker.
Special Guardianship Assessments take between 12 – 16 weeks to be completed
Yes, a part of the assessment will be interviews at your home.