Campaigning for the rights of Grandparent carers and all Kinship carers in the U.K.
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What is special guardianship?
In December 2005, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 introduced special guardianship to provide legal permanence for those children for whom adoption is not appropriate. It gives the carer responsibility for all aspects of caring for a child, who will no longer be looked after by the local authority.
It is meant to help build a permanent relationship between child and carer and be legally secure but will also preserve a basic link between a child and their birth family.
Special guardianship will also be accompanied by a range of support services, including financial support.
Why was it introduced?
The Prime Minister’s review of adoption published in 2000, found children generally preferred the security that adoption gave them over long-term fostering. But it suggested there were older children who did not want to make the legal break with their birth family associated with adoption. It identified the need for an alternative legal status that offered greater security without complete severance from the birth family.
However many local authorities across the country are encouraging Kinship carers to apply for an SGO – whatever the age of the child.
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