Special Guardianship

What is a Special Guardianship?

A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is a legal order applied for by foster carers, family members or connected carers and granted by the courts.

If a child can no longer live with their parents and there is no realistic prospect of a return to their parents, a permanent alternative family needs to be found for that child. A special guardianship order gives a child security and strikes a balance between their need for a safe, stable and caring home throughout their childhood, and to maintain links with their birth family.

Key Points

• SGO child is no longer a Looked After Child (CLA) but support can be accessed by Powys SGO team should the carers need it
• Training courses and support groups
• Special guardians can make almost all of the important decisions
• SGO order is in place till the child's 18^th birthday
• Applicants must be over 18 and can apply on their own or jointly.

If you would like information on becoming a special guardian or support, please contact the Special guardianship team on sgosupportservice@powys.gov.uk