Special Guardianship...
Introduction
Special Guardianship is a new form of legal arrangement which came into effect following the implementation of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. Special Guardianship Orders are designed to provide carers and children with a firm foundation on which to build a lifelong permanent relationship. These new legal orders will provide a number of benefits for "Looked After" children and their "Special Guardians". Looked After Children who are made subject of Special Guardianship Orders will benefit from increased legal securuty without being absolutely legally separated from their family of origin. Special Guardians will obtain clear responsibility for all aspects of caring for the child and for taking the
decisions to do with their upbringing. fp.c Special Guardianship carers will be recruited, prepared, approved, trained and supportive to provide Special Guardianship placments for specific children assessed as needing this form of care. As Special Guardianship carers will initially take children on a fostering basis, they will be approved as both foster carers and as special guardianship carers. This will allow time for children to settle and for all parties to feel confident about the Special Guardianship plan before an order is sought. In the period after the making of the Special Guardianship Order, fp.c will remain available to provide ongoing advice and support to the carers under the terms of an agreed Special Guardianship Support Plan.
Special Guardianship orders are designed to:
