Special Guardianship

Special Guardianship is a formal process whereby you gain parental responsibility for the child/children under your care.  This means that you gain rights and responsibilities that enable you to make decisions around a child's welfare and their day-to-day life.

Special Guardians gain parental responsibility following the granting of Special Guardianship by a Family Court. Whilst parental responsibility is shared with the birth parents, SGO Guardians have the overriding decision-making around everyday care and upbringing without their agreement, if necessary.

Special guardianship is an option for:

• relatives or foster carers who can offer long-term care for children in care, who do not want to be adopted, and need to retain links with their birth families
• older children and young people who cannot live at home, but do not want to be adopted
• children being looked after by extended family or friends who need to be able to make decisions about the child's upbringing
• community groups where the long-term care of other people's children is encouraged but adoption is contrary to religious or cultural belief

For further information regarding the SGO support service, please call 01635 503871 or email sgosupport@westberks.gov.uk