Special Guardianship Solicitors
If you have day to day care of a child who isn’t your own natural child or is a child who is looked after by the Local Authority, there are various ways in which you can formalise the day to day care of that child or children, You can apply for an adoption order, a residence order, be a kinship family foster carer or you could apply for a Special Guardianship Order.
A Special Guardianship Order is an order which grants you all the rights, duties and responsibilities that a parent would have for a child and whilst the natural parent would retain parental responsibility, the Special Guardian would have the final say on the child’s day to day care, health, education and any other major decisions in the child’s life.
We have found that Special Guardianship Orders have been particularly useful in those cases where the family are unlikely to get an adoption order but need more security than a residence order, this could be for example the case where Grandparents have been caring for a child, or where a Foster Carer decides they would wish to care for a Foster Child long term.
The Local Authority are appointed within the Special Guardianship Proceedings to carry out an assessment of application to ensure it meets with the needs of the child, but it will also carry out and assessment of the support that the family require, which can be financial support, emotional support or practical support.
This is a new and developing area of law and Morecrofts have been involved since its inception and have the experience and expertise to assist you in this area.
To find out more or to speak to someone, call 0151 236 8871, email info@morecrofts.co.uk or use our contact form.