What is special guardianship?

A special guardian takes responsibility for parenting a child until their 18th birthday. Find out more about the special guardian role and the responsibilities it holds.

What is a special guardianship order (SGO)?

A special guardianship order (SGO) provides security for children whose birth parents cannot give them long-term care. Special guardianship orders are only available in England and Wales.

An SGO replaces any care order so, if the child was looked after by Liverpool City Council, this period of care ends when the SGO starts.

When an SGO is made, the court must consider whether the child and birth parents stay in contact and if any other orders should be made.

What responsibilities does a special guardian have?

A special guardian takes responsibility for parenting a child until their 18th birthday. A special guardian:

• makes decisions such as where the child lives and goes to school, and what medical treatment they get.
• has parental responsibility (PR) while the child retains a legal link to their parents, unless the SGO states otherwise.

Your special guardianship order is proof of PR. You may need to show it when you travel abroad or the child needs medical treatment.

What decisions need the parents’ consent?

Some decisions cannot be made without the parents’ consent, such as:

• changing a child’s surname
• taking the child out of the UK for more than three months
• placing a child for adoption 

Special guardians have the right to appoint a guardian for the child in the event of their death.