special-guardianship

Special Guardianship

What is special guardianship?

Special Guardianship is a new and different way of providing long-term stability to a child.

Special Guardians share parental responsibility with natural parents but get to make all major decisions about the care of the child and their upbringing.

Special guardianship is a realistic care option for:

Relatives or foster carers who can offer long-term care for children
- in the care system
- who cannot return home
- or where adoption is not an option
Older children and young people who cannot live at home, but:
- do not want to be adopted
- do not want to lose the link to their birth family either
Children being looked after by extended family or friends and who need to be able to make decisions about the child’s upbringing
Community groups where the long-term care of other people’s children is encouraged but adoption is contrary to religious or cultural belief

Isn’t it the same as adoption?

No. Adoption is where a child becomes a permanent and full member of a new family and the rights and responsibilities of the birth parents are ended and transferred totally to adoptive parents.

Is it the same as foster care?

No. Special guardians become long-term permanent carers for a child. With foster care, a foster family takes care of the child on a temporary basis.