Revised Special Guardianship Guidance

Following amendments made to the Special Guardianship Regulations 2005 by the Special Guardianship (Amendment) Regulations 2016, the Department of Education has issued revised Statutory Guidance in respect of the matters to be considered by local authorities conducting assessments in respect of prospective special guardianship orders and the support services to be provided to the family by the local authority following the making of the order.

There is now an increased focus on the nature of any pre-existing relationship between the prospective special guardians and the child and the need to consider what the child’s life would be like in the care of the special guardians throughout their childhood.  The support services required to be provided by the local authority are now extended to include therapeutic services for the child and mediation and other assistance for the special guardians in respect of the child’s contact with other family members.

The Guidance can be downloaded here or from our INFORMATION CENTRE.  The Guidance also provides a helpful summary of the background to and the effect of special guardianship orders.