1 Overview
A special guardian is a kinship carer who looks after children under a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) until they are 18 years old. Special guardians provide a permanent home for a child who can no longer live with their parents.
An SGO formally recognises one or more people as a ‘special guardian’ of the child. Although the child maintains links with their birth family, their special guardian(s) have most of the parental responsibility for them. Unlike an Adoption Order, the child maintains strong ties with their birth family.
The application process
The Special Guardianship Order (SGO) assessment is completed by an assessing social worker, who will visit your home and meet with you and your family members to find out if you would be a suitable special guardian. Sometimes it is necessary for an initial viability assessment to be completed before the full assessment starts. This is to make sure that the person/people applying are suitable to progress to the full SGO assessment.
The SGO assessment period is usually 12 weeks. It is detailed and will cover all aspects of your life from birth to current day. The assessing social worker will speak to people who know you who can provide references, for example your employer or your GP. You will also need to complete health and financial assessments. The local authority will complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to determine your criminal record.
The process ensures that the court has the information they need to decide who will care for a child. If the court grants a SGO it is in place until they reach 18 years old.
2 How to apply
There is a legally agreed approach to applying for a Special Guardianship Order (SGO).
- View the details on who can apply are shown on GOV.UK.
- Contact children's Integrated Front Door to find out whether you are eligible by phoning 01403 229900 or emailing wschildrenservices@westsussex.gov.uk
- Notify children's Integrated Front Door, three months before, of your intention to apply to the court for an SGO by emailing wschildrenservices@westsussex.gov.uk. We will assess your suitability to become the child’s special guardian.
- Make an application to the court. If there are already legal proceedings about the child, the court may invite you to join in those proceedings.
- The court asks us to submit a report about your suitability. The report explores your background and other information, the merits of specifically applying for an SGO over other forms of care and the wishes of the child being considered.
- In some cases, birth parents will not agree with the SGO. If this happens you may need a solicitor to help with your application.
- The court considers your application and our report, and makes a decision.
For more information about the SGO assessment process, please contact familyandfriendsassessmentteam@westsussex.gov.uk.
3 Support for special guardians
Throughout your Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs) assessment we will discuss your needs for special guardianship support. This will be followed up with a further discussion towards the end of the assessment to finalise the support plan before it is presented to the court.
Special guardians, birth parents and children are all entitled to an assessment for special guardianship support.
Support for kinship careers
Kinship care pages have details on support offered by the Kinship Support team.