---
title: Special Guardianship
description: "**Special Guardianship – when long-term stability grows into family permanence** A **Special Guardianship Order (SGO)** gives a child secure, court-granted permanence without the complete legal severance from birth parents that adoption involves. It is often the best route when: -…"
url: "https://handbook.co.uk/docs/special-guardianship/"
updated: "2026-04-08"
category: Foster Carer Policies and Procedures
---

# Special Guardianship

**Special Guardianship – when long-term stability grows into family permanence**

A **Special Guardianship Order (SGO)** gives a child secure, court-granted permanence without the complete legal severance from birth parents that adoption involves. It is often the best route when:

- the child is older and wishes to keep a legal link to birth family;
- extended family or long-term foster carers have become the child’s secure base;
- cultural or faith reasons make adoption inappropriate.

Under an SGO the Special Guardian(s) gain **enhanced parental responsibility (PR)** that they may exercise independently on almost every decision, while birth parents retain limited PR (e.g., must still consent to adoption in the future, but cannot override day-to-day matters).

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**Pathway from fostering to Special Guardianship**

1. **Exploration stage** – the child’s social worker raises SGO as a permanence option; you discuss implications with your Supervising Social Worker (SSW).
2. **Legal & welfare assessment** – the Local Authority prepares a Special Guardianship Report for court, including checks, references, accommodation, finances and support plan.
3. **Court hearing** – if satisfied, the judge grants the SGO; the Care Order or placement order ends.
4. **Support package** – may include financial allowance, therapeutic services, training and respite—set out in a written Special Guardianship Support Plan.

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**Key points for foster carers considering an SGO**

| **Area** | **What changes** | **What stays / may change** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Legal status** | You become the child’s legal carer to age 18 (and beyond informally). Care proceedings end. | Birth parents keep limited PR but cannot remove the child without a court order. |
| **Financial support** | Fostering allowance stops; LA may pay means-tested SGO allowance plus child benefit/universal credit. | Discuss carefully; rates vary by LA. |
| **Agency relationship** | You are no longer subject to fostering regs or annual panel reviews. | You can still access agreed support services outlined in the SGO Plan. |
| **Fostering approval** | If you wish to continue fostering *other* children, a new assessment is required because household dynamics change. | Talk early with your SSW about managing dual roles. |

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**Things to think about**

- **Motivation** – is permanence right for you and the child?
- **Long-term finances** – allowances taper when the child turns 18.
- **Support network** – grandparents, Enhanced Support friends, respite arrangements.
- **Future contact** – court may set out birth-family contact; you’ll manage it.
- **Identity & belonging** – talk with the child about surname, school information, Life-Story book updates.

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**Next steps**

If the Local Authority raises Special Guardianship—or you are interested in proposing it—ask your SSW for:

- the detailed **Special Guardianship Information Pack**;
- sign-posting to independent legal advice;
- introduction to another carer who has already been through the process.

A well-planned SGO can give a child the best of both worlds: the permanence of family and the continuity of origin. Explore it thoughtfully, supported by your team, before making the final leap.