2. Prepared by
Ruth Forrester
Registered Social Worker
Chair of Adoption and Fostering Panels
Author of Special Guardianship Assessments
in private and public law proceedings
3. This presentation will cover
Origin and development of the SGO
Differences between ROs, SGOs, Cos and
Adoption Orders
Assessment of SGOs by Social Services
Specific issues in care planning
SGOs and registered foster carers
4. Why were SGOs inserted into the
Children Act 1989?
New Order inserted into the Children Act
Concern about religious minorities
Foster carers who did not want to adopt
Older children who did not want to be
adopted
Human Rights Act and child contact, sibling
contact
Safety of residence orders
5. Court Orders making permanent
arrangements
Residence Orders?
SGOs
Care Orders
Adoption Orders
6. Who can apply for SGOs?
Not the birth parents
Foster carers who have cared for the child
for 12 months
Relatives and friends
NB The Court can make a request for an SGO
assessment eg in private law proceedings or
care proceedings
7. Who assesses SGOs and how?
Social Services (though can be delegated)
Applicants must give 3 months notice
Holistic report (child, birth family, applicants)
Follows the SGO Regulations
Must make a recommendation
Undertaken by suitable experienced and
qualified worker
8. Professional issues in assessment of
SGOs
No framework (cf adoption and fostering)
No health advice
Often child/carers assessed by the same
person
Many Las – no structure for planning or
review
Future contact arrangements?
9. Research on Special Guardianship
Very new Orders in England and Wales so
no long term research
New Zealand research, problems over
contact and money
Recent UK research – same problems
Relevance of kinship care research eg Joan
Hunt (identity ++, health/education --)
10. Can the carers agree to?
Order RO CO SGO Adoption
Name change No No No Yes
Education Shared Shared Yes Yes
Health Shared Shared Yes Yes
Emigration No Complex No Yes
answer
11. Practice issues for SGOs
Pressure on foster carers
Money
Support
Ordinary residence
Inheritance
Contact / safety
Disability
Transition to adult services
