Special guardians

Special guardianship is a way of providing parental responsibility for a child.

Unlike adoption, the birth parents are still the child's legal parents but their parenting is minimal.

A special guardian is responsible for the child's daily care, for example schooling and medical treatment. 

They make some decisions about raising the child without involving the birth parents.

Special guardianship gives a child:

• a form of stability without legally separating the child from their parents
• the chance to build a firm foundation for a lifelong permanent relationship
• the opportunity to remain within their extended family network

Eligibility

To become a special guardian you must be 18 or older. You can be:

• a family member or friend
• unrelated foster carers
• someone who already has a residence order for the child
• someone named in a will to look after the child when a parent dies (known as a testamentary guardian)

You can apply to become a special guardian with another person.

A special guardian cannot be:

• the birth parents
• a local authority

Support

We provide a range of support services to our special guardians, including:

• monthly support groups with experienced facilitators to discuss topics like finance, contact issues and housing
• flexible walk-in sessions to discuss your concerns, get advice and support
• financial assistance, especially to help you complete the additional support funding application
• completing applications, like for housing, passports and benefits
• training covering topics such as mental health in young people, accessing the pupil premium and how to be a good carer
• legal support, providing guidance, resources and help

Find out more

GOV.UK has more information about becoming a special guardian.

You can also get in touch with us if you have any queries by:

• emailing sgoconnectedpersons@southwark.gov.uk

• calling 020 7525 1762