SGO joint note

Following concerns shared with the national Family Justice Board about the making of Special Guardianship Orders, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services and Cafcass have issued a joint note intended for local authorities, Cafcass, HMCTS and the judiciary and local children’s safeguarding boards.

The note is intended to improve practice in this area and ensure that proper scrutiny is applied to all assessments and decisions regarding the making of SGOs in proceedings where it is not possible for a child to live with its parents.  The note urges caution and suggests that the standards underpinning a special guardianship assessment and care plan should be no less than the test for other forms of permanence outside of the family.