There are circumstances when it is in a child’s best interest to live with someone who is not their parents. In such situations, the court may grant a Special Guardianship Order (SGO).
The person named on the SGO will become the child’s Special Guardian, and they have parental responsibility for the child until they are 18 years old. They will be able to make day-to-day decisions on behalf of the child. Although the child’s birth parents will retain their parental responsibility, the Special Guardian’s decision will take precedence over the child’s parents in the event of any disagreement.
There are some decisions that the Special Guardian cannot make without the parents’ consent or the permission of the court, for example:
– changing the child’s surname
– changing the child’s religion
– taking the child abroad for more than 3 months
– putting the child up for adoption
– surgery that doesn’t improve the child’s health e.g. cosmetic surgery or circumcision
Anyone seeking to make an application for a SGO must give the local authority 3 months’ notice prior to making the required application.
When a SGO is granted, a Special Guardian may be able to access additional support such as financial assistance and access to counselling services, depending on the local authority and the Special Guardian’s circumstances.
Here at Bromleys, we understand that this can become an emotional and complex matter to deal with. Our experienced team can advise and assist you in the process of applying for a Special Guardianship Order.
Why choose Bromleys?
Our team of family solicitors will assess all angles of your case to determine what course of action will lead to the most positive outcome for all parties.
We can support you with a vast range of family law issues including arrangements for children, divorce and separation, domestic abuse, name changes and Social Services involvement with your family. We understanding that involving a solicitor in your personal family affairs may sometimes feel like a difficult thing to do, but our confidential, sensitive, and un-biased approach will allow you to feel fully supported, no matter your situation.
You can call us on 0161 330 6821 or contact Chiara Ozuzu directly via email cozuzu@bromleys.co.uk