What is Special Guardianship?
Special Guardianship is a way of giving a child, who is unable to live with their birth parents, but connected to you, the love and security of family life.
It is a legal procedure and a Special Guardianship Order is granted by the Court, so when a child becomes subject to a Special Guardianship Order they become part of that family until they are 18 (or younger if the court decides this). The child keeps their name and the birth parents retain some parental responsibility whilst the Special Guardian gains enhanced rights and responsibilities.
Supporting Special Guardianship Families
Family Plus Team
The Family Plus Team supports families with a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order, as well as adoptive families. The Team includes theraplay specialists and psychologists specialising in working with adopted and looked after children and young people.
If you are a family with a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order who would like to find out more about the Family Plus Team and the support it can offer, please contact us on: 01872 322200 or familyplus@cornwall.gov.uk.
View the Family Plus leafletSpecial Guardian
A Special Guardian is someone with a close relationship to a child / young person. This can be a family member, former foster carer or family friend.
Special Guardianship means that the child lives with carers who have parental responsibility for them until they are grown up. If the child was looked after before the Special Guardianship Order was granted, they will no longer be the responsibility of the local authority. The order usually lasts until the child is 18 years old.Read our Special Guardianship Policy
