What does this mean? Well, an SGO is an order whereby someone is appointed to be the legal carer of a child until the child is 18. That carer is known as a Special Guardian and is usually a relative of the child, such as a grandparent or aunt/uncle. The Special Guardian will share parental responsibility with the parents, parental responsibility being the responsibility that parents have to make decisions for a child, such as where the child goes to school and what medical treatment the child receives. Usually, everyone with parental responsibility has to agree on a decision but a Special Guardian can make decisions without the agreement of the parents because the Special Guardian is responsible for bringing up the child. The orders are usually made because the parents are unable to care for the child and is an alternative to adoption. Often, where a child cannot be cared for by parents, a care order is made so that the child goes into foster care and is often adopted. By having an SGO in favour of a relation, the child is still living within the family and usually having contact with the parents and siblings and this is a much better outcome for the child and the extended family. I am available to advise in more detail about these matters including the court procedure so don’t hesitate to get in touch