Special guardianship order

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What is Special Guardianship?

A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is a legal arrangement that gives an individual parental responsibility for a child or young person, allowing them to live with the Special Guardian (SG) on a long-term basis.

While the Special Guardian can make important decisions about the child’s upbringing, the child may still maintain a relationship with their birth parents where appropriate. SGOs offer a more permanent solution than fostering, without fully severing legal ties to the child’s birth family.

The Special Guardianship Order in Surrey gives children more permanence than a regular fostering arrangement and gives their Special Guardians more rights to make decisions on
their behalf.

What support is available for Special Guardians in Surrey?

Surrey County Council is committed to supporting Special Guardians throughout their journey, from the initial assessment to long-term care. The council provides a range of services to ensure that Special Guardians have the tools and resources needed to provide a stable and nurturing home.

Financial support

Financial allowances are available when the court order deems it necessary for the Special Guardian to care for the child. The level of support depends on the child’s status before the SGO:

  • If the child was looked after for less than 12 months immediately before the SGO is granted, a fixed allowance is paid at the fostering rate for the first two years, after which it becomes means tested annually.
  • For private proceedings, a financial needs assessment may be conducted to determine eligibility for support. Allowance payments are discretionary.
  • There may be other options for financial support in the future, so please talk to the Fostering Service about your needs when contacting us.

Practical and emotional support

Special Guardians receive practical guidance and emotional support, including regular reviews of their support plans, should they request it. Specialist therapeutic funding may be available through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), helping Special Guardians address complex emotional and behavioural needs in children.

Special Guardians in Surrey can access free support and training, through Kinship Charity, and if you think you may be eligible for additional, please contact us at the details below.

Peer Support and community programmes

Special Guardians can join both in-person and virtual support groups to connect with others in similar roles. Additionally, the Kinship Connected post-order scheme offers one-on-one support for a maximum of six months at any time during their SGO, helping Special Guardians adjust and thrive in their new role.

Ongoing commitment

Surrey County Council supports Special Guardians not only during the assessment phase but also after the order is granted. This includes access to informal mediation family meetings, advice and guidance, referrals, signposting and letters of support and SGO support assessment, and continued training opportunities to help Special Guardians meet the evolving needs of the children in their care.

More support

Our Special Guardians are encouraged to make the most of the tools and guidance available to them. Here are additional resources to help you on your journey:

Interested in SGOs or need support?

If you're currently caring for a child who is not your own – or planning to – and want to understand what help is available, please contact our kinship team. We’ll listen, explain your options, and help you decide what’s right for your family.

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