Special Guardianship Order

A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is a legal arrangement in the UK that gives a caregiver, often a relative or another significant adult, parental responsibility for a child who cannot live with their birth parents. This order allows the caregiver to make important decisions about the child's upbringing, such as schooling and health care, while the child’s birth parents retain some rights. SGOs are designed to provide stability and security for children, ensuring they grow up in a safe and supportive environment, often in cases where adoption is not appropriate or desired.